Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is hoping to complete a signing from RB Leipzig – but the German side have already sold players to Liverpool and Chelsea this summer.
Manchester City have been given a two-week deadline to seal an £87million deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
The German club are lining up potential replacements for the 21-year-old Croatian centre-back and they want to finalise coach Marco Rose’s squad before they meet Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup on August 12. Leipzig won the German Cup last season.
City are willing to hand the Bundesliga club their full valuation – but their offer is made up of a £77m payment upfront and a package of add-ons that Leipzig feel are unrealistic. Gvardiol is one of the most exciting young defenders in the world after reaching the World Cup semi-finals with Croatia and was linked with a move to Chelsea a year ago.
City have made just one major signing this summer in Gvardiol’s compatriot Mateo Kovavic, who completed a £25m move from Chelsea last month. The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Shea Charles and James Trafford have left Pep Guardiola’s squad
Gvardiol is keen to join Guardiola’s Treble winners, but is currently locked away in the Austrian Tyrol as Rose steps up his pre-season preparations. Leipzig are delighted that the defender has not been trying to force them to sell despite his desire to join City.
Leipzig are keen to challenge Bayern for the Bundesliga title after making significant progress in recent years. Rose’s side, who were only formed 14 years ago, finished third in the Bundesliga and won a second successive German Cup last term.
Leipzig have enquired about Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida as a potential replacement for Gvardiol, but would not be willing to meet their £40m asking price unless they get full value from City. The 23-year-old helped Feyenoord win the Eredivisie title last term and has won three senior caps for the Netherlands.
Leipzig are also monitoring Lyon’s Castello Lukeba as an alternative. The 20-year-old defender has played 68 first-team games for Lyon during the last two seasons and is part of France’s U21 squad, but he is yet to earn his maiden senior cap.
