As the transfer window reaches its halfway stage, Manchester City has secured their second high-profile signing, Croatian center-back Josko Gvardiol. Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City had the best possible season by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, making them one of only two teams in English football history to achieve such a feat, alongside their arch-rivals Manchester United.
With the departure of Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, and Joao Cancelo on the cards, the English champions have made a bold statement by spending huge money on 21-year-old center-back. After the humiliation at the World Cup, can the Croatian overcome that and prove to be a significant player for Pep Guardiola? Let us find out!
Report: Manchester City rope in Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig
After weeks of speculation, Manchester City fans’ anticipation finally ended when several reports suggested that the English champions have successfully secured the signing of Josko Gvardiol. Earlier this month, renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Manchester City’s hierarchy scheduled a new round of talks after an initial approach for $84 million was rejected by RB Leipzig.
According to several reports, the English club has reached an agreement with German club RB Leipzig for a record-breaking fee of around $112 million, making the Croatian defender the most expensive in football history, surpassing the previous record of $103 million set by Harry Maguire in 2019.
EXCLUSIVE: Joško Gvardiol to Man City, here we go! Agreement reached on the fee between City and Leipzig 🔵🇭🇷
🚨 Understand Gvardiol has completed the first part of medical tests today — deal on the verge of being signed.
Gvardiol agreed personal terms one month ago with City. pic.twitter.com/njylKAxYAU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2023
Gvardiol was dubbed the best CB in the world despite being bamboozled by Messi in the WC
After a hiatus of 37 years, the Albiceleste finally lifted the World Cup in the majestic deserts of Qatar. One of the tournament’s most memorable moments came when Lionel Messi turned Josko Gvardiol inside-out and brilliantly set up Julian Alvarez. Despite facing a 3-0 defeat, the Croatian center-back said “I am glad that I played against him even though we lost. But today and tomorrow I will be able to tell the children that I guarded Messi for 90 minutes. I guess we will beat him next time.”
Even though the Argentine maestro outwitted him on the field, the 21-year-old is still considered one of the best young center-backs in the world. Before making his move to Pep Guardiola’s team, several European teams like Chelsea and Real Madrid were heavily interested in the Croatian defender.
After an impressive treble-winning season, Manchester City fans are eager to witness their team’s continued domination. The arrival of Josko Gvardiol will surely bolster the defensive stability of the European champions.
