Previously, we review the deal of Jorden Henderson and André Onana to Al Ettifaq and Manchester City respectively. Now, we are reviewing the Josko Gvardiol deal with Manchester City. Manchester City’s search for a long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany has led them to Josko Gvardiol, the highly rated 20-year-old center-back currently plying his trade at RB Leipzig.
Gvardiol has emerged as one of Manchester City’s top targets as the Premier League champions look forward to their title defense this summer. The Croatian defender is seen as an ideal fit for Guardiola’s team. He boasts the ball-playing abilities and versatility the Manchester City manager covets in his players.
At just 20 years old, Gvardiol is already a regular playing XI player for RB Leipzig. He has also established himself as a significant player for the Croatian national team. His mature displays at the back belie his young age, leading many observers to dub him the ‘new Matthijs de Ligt’.
Manchester City is keen to partner Gvardiol with Ruben Dias, forming a center-back pairing that could dominate domestically and in Europe for years. But, praising the talented Croatian away from Leipzig may be easier said than done.
Leipzig is reluctant to sell Gvardiol so soon after his arrival from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020. It would likely take a bid upwards of €60 million euros for Leipzig to even consider letting him go. Questions also remain over whether Gvardiol would be open to a move or prefer staying put at Leipzig and continuing his development in the Bundesliga.
Nonetheless, Pep Guardiola has made the acquisition of a top young center-back like Gvardiol a priority this summer. With his mix of physical and technical prowess, the 20-year-old has all the attributes to succeed Vincent Kompany and become a strong defense force at the Etihad Stadium for the next decade. Gvardiol may stay put in the short term. Still, Manchester City will likely continue courting the Croatian vigorously as they seek the final piece in defense to establish domestic and European dominance.
