The most talked about transfer saga of Summer window 2023 has been the one of Croatia’s versatile Center-back Josko Gvardiol. It was always imminent that he will end up in Pep Guardiola’s hands, who has worked behind the scenes, pushing Manchester City to sign the player from RB Leipzig.
In June 2023, there were reports of Gvardiol agreeing to personal terms with City on a long term deal. Leipzig’s management initially stood firm with their ask of making him the most expensive Center back ever but City denied Leipzig’s valuation.
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The Bundesliga outfit demanded a sum of 100 Million Euros, an amount City paid during the transfer of Jack Grealish in 2021. The Mancunians were reluctant to pay that amount despite pocketing 500+ Million Euros thanks to their Treble winning last season.
It was put out during the very initial days of this transfer window that Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City will take time. And as recent as last night, all the documents of agreement between City and RB Leipzig were signed with the English champions paying 90 Million Euros full without any further Add-ons.
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Josko Gvardiol not the Most expensive CB ever
Moreover, the 21-year-old has reportedly landed in Manchester for his Medical tests on Friday. While many argue about Josko Gvardiol being the most Expensive center back, there are enough evidences to say he is not.
Back in 2019, Manchester United signed Harry Maguire for 80 Million pounds which is 93 Million Euros at the moment. Gvardiol’s transfer in pounds will be around 78 Million which is 2 millions less than the Most expensive Center back ever.
He is actually the most expensive defensive deployment of Manchester City with their previous record CB signing being Ruben Dias. He is another addition to City’s long-term plans who is young but has 155 caps in Europe and in fact helped Leipzig win back to back DFB Pokal/German Cup winner.
What is Josko Gvardiol bringing to Man City?
But his most “unique” USP is the fact that he was rock solid in Croatia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign winning the Bronze medal. City now have 3 World Cup medalists – Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic and now Gvardiol.
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Its almost as if a sign that Guardiola is not looking slow things down at the Etihad stadium. And now that they are defending UEFA Champions League winners, it automatically increases their percentage of being the favorites which they have been even before they did it on June 10, 2023.
Josko Gvardiol is only going to solidify things at City’s ever evolving back line. His profile will match all of Pep Guardiola’s demands. Originally a Center-back, who often operates as a Left-back or anywhere in the defense and also has experience playing in the front line.
We saw what Guardiola did with John Stones, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo among others. Transformed Boys into Men and made them Boss Europe and England in 2022/23 season. The Reigning European and English champions have a chance of winning their 4th trophy of the year as they take on Arsenal this Sunday (6 Aug).
Josko Gvardiol will not feature on Sunday but we could be getting his first bits during City’s Premier League opener away at Burnley on 12 August.