Man City join Man Utd, Liverpool and Real Madrid in race to sign €100m star

Carlo Garganese

• 5 Mar 2023 15:48 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester City have joined Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the race to sign Croatia’s €100 million World Cup sensation Josko Gvardiol.

According to the Daily Star, City have joined Premier League rivals Man Utd and Liverpool - as well as Madrid - in making Gvardiol a top target in the summer.

City are planning to sell Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte this summer and want to replace him with Gvardiol.

Out of contract in 2023: The best free agents available on a Bosman

Gvardiol’s club Leipzig will ask for a fee in the region of €100m for a player said to be admired by Pep Guardiola.

Man Utd and Liverpool are also looking for a new centre back this summer.

United will likely sell Harry Maguire and perhaps Victor Lindelof, too, whereas Liverpool are looking to replace Joel Matip or Joe Gomez.

Gvardiol is understood to prefer to join Real Madrid, who are considered the favourites for his signature right now.

What has Gvardiol said about Real Madrid?

"Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so who knows," Gvardiol told reporters in December.

"Maybe one day I can play there. I'd like to, yes.

"[Luka] Modric doesn't have to tell me anything about Real Madrid, there's no need. I already know everything. I know it's the biggest club in the world and how important it is to be linked to a team like that."

Gvardiol has emerged as arguably the most exciting young central defender in Europe over the last year.

The Leipzig defender was one of the best defenders at the World Cup for Croatia, who made it all the way to the semi-finals, finishing third.

Gvardiol has also impressed for Leipzig and actually scored for them against Man City last month in their Champions League last-16 first leg in Germany.

The two teams drew 1-1 and will play the return leg in Manchester in 10 days.