According to a report from the official website of Manchester City, the Sky Blues have officially completed the transfer of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, securing his services for a record fee of £78 million. The former Rb Leipzig defender has committed to a five-year contract with Manchester City and was watching from the stands at Wembley for the Community Shield match.
With this move, the Croatia international now holds the distinction of being the second most expensive defender in football history, trailing only behind Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, who made a transfer to Old Trafford from Leicester City for £80 million in 2019.
The Amazing Accolades of Gvardiol Despite His Young Age
Gvardiol initiated his senior career at Dinamo Zagreb, a renowned hub for nurturing some of Croatia’s most exceptional talents. During his two seasons in Croatia, he achieved remarkable success, securing two Croatian League titles, one Croatian Cup, and a Croatian Super Cup before making a move to Germany to join RB Leipzig.
While at RB Leipzig, Gvardiol amassed 87 appearances for the Red Bulls during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, showcasing his prowess by scoring five goals and contributing to two DFB-Pokal triumphs.
Furthermore, Gvardiol has represented Croatia in 21 matches, with one of his notable achievements being a significant role in their impressive third-place finish in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Has Guardiola Concluded His Transfer Business For Manchester City This Summer?
Having secured only the second signing of the summer with Gvardiol’s arrival, following Mateo Kovacic’s move from Chelsea, it is unlikely that Pep Guardiola has completed his transfer business. The Spanish tactician still has pressing matters, particularly in the attacking department, as Riyad Mahrez’s departure has left a void.
Although the Sky Blues have talented players like Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, who could potentially provide cover on the right side, Foden is expected to take up a more central role this season, and Silva’s future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain. There is a current need for a creative winger who can pose a significant threat in front of the goal, prompting Guardiola to continue searching for suitable options. Hence, we could expect another signing in the form of a winger before the summer transfer window comes to a close.
