Manchester City planning Josko Gvardiol move?

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer.

Gvardiol is regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe after putting in a number of impressive performances for club and country.

The centre-back has featured regularly for Leipzig this term, making 41 appearances across all competitions and chipping in with three goals.

The 21-year-old also played every minute of Croatia's 2022 World Cup campaign, helping his country finish in third place.

With Gvardiol coming towards the end of a successful campaign, there are rumours circulating that he could be heading to the Premier League.

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Chelsea appeared to be close to signing the Leipzig man last summer, before he decided to sign a new contract with the German club until the summer of 2027.

The Blues are still thought to be interested alongside Liverpool, but Man City are hoping to beat their Premier League rivals to his signature.

According to Football Transfers, Gvardiol has become an important target for the Citizens, who are planning to make a move this summer.

The report claims that Man City hope the potential signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic could prove decisive.

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The Premier League champions are reportedly in talks over a transfer, and there is a belief that Gvardiol will be persuaded to join his countryman if the 29-year-old decides to swap West London for Manchester.

Gvardiol has been identified as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who is expected to leave this summer after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva has also been linked with a move away, and Man City could use income generated from player sales to fund a move for the Croatia defender, who is expected to command a fee in the region of €85m (£73.2m).

Manchester City will look to keep their hopes of a treble alive when they face neighbours Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley.

Leipzig will also have the chance to win silverware on Saturday when they go head-to-head with Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal final, but Gvardiol will not be involved after being sent off in the semi-finals.