Manchester City in advanced talks to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol | OneFootball

Manchester City are on the verge of agreeing personal terms with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol ahead of a potential summer move, reports Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Gvardiol has been on the watchlist of several European clubs after enjoying a meteoric rise to be regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a stellar season, helping Leipzig finish inside the Champions League places and win the DFB Pokal Cup for the second consecutive season.

Gvardiol gained wider prominence following a magnificent World Cup 2022 campaign, helping Croatia secure third place. He was also arguably one of the best players at the tournament.

The former Dinamo Zagreb star has been cited as the next big thing to emerge from the Bundesliga, following in the footsteps of Erling Braut Haaland and Jude Bellingham.

Man City have seemingly jumped the queue for Gvardiol – as was the case with Haaland last summer – ahead of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

However, Romano adds that a deal is far from being done, and Leipzig will only allow Gvardiol to leave for around £75 million has been mooted.

Gvardiol could replace Aymeric Laporte, who has been tipped to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Man City already boast one of the fiercest defensive line-ups in Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji.

Adding Gvardiol would make the treble winners an almost unstoppable force.

Man City are also working on a deal to sign Gvardiol’s compatriot Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.

Personal terms have been agreed, and the Croatian midfielder’s move to the Etihad Stadium looks imminent.