Man City has received Josko Gvardiol’s transfer deadline, while RB Leipzig wants a record £86 million move completed by the start of the Premier League season.
- City are planning another proposal in the hopes of acquiring Gvardiol.
- The two teams are still negotiating the terms of the record £86 million move.
- Leipzig wants to have their roster in place before the German Super Cup on August 12.
RB Leipzig wants Manchester City’s pursuit of Josko Gvardiol to end before the start of the Premier League season.
City identified the Croatia international as a top target months ago, and the central defender is eager to join the club.
The two clubs, who faced each other in last season’s Champions League, remain in negotiations over the structure of a deal that is expected to set a new world record for a defender.
Leipzig want £86 million for Gvardiol, which equals to €100 million, but are willing to set a deadline to avoid the trade dragging on any longer.
With Aymeric Laporte still looking to leave, City are likely to launch another bid in the hope of completing a deal for a teenager who will provide quality on the left side of their defence.
The Bundesliga club, who are willing to move the 21-year-old, are looking for a replacement and are interested in both Lyon’s Castello Lukeba and Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida.
So far this summer, City has only signed Mateo Kovacic, despite interest from a number of other clubs, including Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker, while Riyad Mahrez is due to be revealed as an Al-Ahli player for £30 million.
Walker’s agreement with Bayern Munich fell through when both teams were in Tokyo, so the England international travelled to South Korea with City.
Leipzig will meet Bayern in the German Super Cup on August 12, and Marco Rose wants his squad ready before that date, which falls on the same weekend as City’s Premier League opener against Burnley.
Guardiola has warned that City will not be at their best when the Community Shield arrives a week on Sunday, despite the fact that Phil Foden has impressed during their pre-season trip in Asia.
Foden has been working centrally behind Erling Haaland, a role that has long been considered as his destiny, and the academy graduate believes that this could unlock more of his potential.
Foden, who is unsure whether a central place is permanent, has spent much of his City career on either wing.
‘It’s a job with a lot more to my game,’ he explained. ‘I’d be able to show folks a lot more of what I’m capable of doing. I’d be more involved and on the ball. That role, I believe, has a lot greater responsibility.
‘Erling has always had terrific runs and movement. He wants to feed early and from behind since he will always win the race with the defender.
‘It’s all about picking up on those things while I’m in there,’ she says. I haven’t played there in a long time, but the more I play there, the more I’ll grow used to it and begin to learn the role.
‘There are a lot of defensive responsibilities and a lot more things to understand. I used to play there when I was younger, so I believe I can fill that position if he wants me to. I’m just curious to see where he places me.
‘I believe the manager saw my goal threat and wanted me to play farther forward.’
