Josko Gvardiol, 21, Leipzig, is joining Manchester City.
European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal on Tuesday (June 20) with the words “HERE WE GO” and added: “City are ready to sign Gvardiol. His medical tests will be completed within 24 hours and then the deal will be finalized.”
“City and Leipzig have just agreed on a transfer fee for Gvardiol. We had a verbal agreement today and he will be our second signing of the summer. Personal terms were agreed in June.”
City have been targeting one of the world’s best center backs with a bright future. Gvardiol is physical, defensive and forward-thinking, and has the versatility to play both left back and left center back.
He moved to Leipzig in 2021, where he developed further and quickly became one of the best center backs in the German Bundesliga. His left-footed build-up play makes him everything a modern center back should be. A resource that Pep Guardiola is sure to covet.
His value has skyrocketed. According to football statistician Transfermarkt, Gervinho is valued at €75 million, making him the second highest paid center back in the world. The top spot is held by Jubeng Dias at €80 million. Gbadiol has made a meteoric rise from €19 million just two years ago to €27 billion.
Gvardiol signed a new contract in September 2022. And according to the BBC, his €110 million ($156 million) buyout clause will be triggered next summer. City had been keen on the player beforehand and had expressed interest throughout the summer transfer window.
The personal agreement came early. In June, Forbes reported that “City director of football Tziki Behiristain has reportedly already met with the Guardiola camp.” Furthermore, according to Romano, a long-term contract had already been finalized.
All that remained was an agreement between the clubs, which was finalized on the 20th. The exact amount was not disclosed, but Leipzig had been asking for around 100 million euros ($142 million).
In fact, transfer fees weren’t much of an obstacle for City. In the 2022-23 season, City pocketed £294 million in prize money alone for winning the treble. According to the UK’s Telegraph, they earned £180 million for winning the Premier League, £110 million for winning the Champions League, £179.5 million for winning the FA Cup, and £4 million for winning the English FA Cup. In addition, Riyad Mahrez is on the verge of a €40 million move to Al Ahli for a total of €57 billion. 메이저놀이터
City will be able to build an even stronger defense. They already have the likes of Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and Emmrecht Laporte at center back. Add in Gbadiol, a top-notch left-footed center back, and you have an impeccable lineup.