Man City agree personal terms with RB Leipzig sensation

Manchester City seem eager to bolster their squad in a bid to defend their Premier League title next term.

The Citizens have been linked to several potential targets in the opening weeks of the summer transfer window.

Last season, Pep Guardiola’s side secured the Premier League title for the third consecutive season, won the FA Cup and finally captured their first-ever Champions League trophy.

As they build a side ready to defend their honours, the Sky Blues have already struck a deal to bring Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic to the Etihad Stadium as their first signing this term.

However, the Manchester side looks likely to chase more players throughout the window.

According to Fabrizio Romano, City have agreed personal terms with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.

The report claims that the two clubs will continue negotiating a fee, but apparently, the German side want to make the Croatian the most expensive defender ever if he is to leave the team.

Manchester City are eager to make Gvardiol their second summer signing

The record fee for a defender is the £75m that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Romano claims that Guardiola rates the Croatian very highly, but Leipzig are looking for over £80 million for Gvardiol.

Gvardiol, 21, joined Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 and has since become a staple in the side at the Red Bull Arena.

The 21-year-old’s impressive performances in the Champions League and the Bundesliga have caused him to attract a lot of potential suitors, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the Citizens remain the most interested team for the Croatian as they look to replace Aymeric Laporte, who looks likely to depart from the Etihad this summer.

Gvardiol can operate at left-back as well as his natural role as a central defender.

The Croatia international signed a new contract last September to extend his stay until 2027, which provides Leipzig with most of the power in the negotiations for the defender.