RB Leipzig have warned interested clubs that it will take a world-record fee to sign Josko Gvardiol this summer.
Gvardiol has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest names after an impressive period at the Bundesliga side, with the 21-year-old having emerged as one of world football’s best young centre-backs.
The defender enhanced his reputation with a strong tournament as Croatia reached the World Cup semi-finals last winter and several Premier League clubs are rumoured to be interested.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Manchester City consider Gvardiol a top target for the upcoming transfer window, with the player keen on a potential move to the newly-crowned European champions.
City hope to unite Gvardiol with international team-mate Mateo Kovacic after opening talks over a deal to sign the Chelsea midfielder.
However, City are not the only side to hold an interest in signing the centre-back. Chelsea saw an approach for Gvardiol turned down last summer, while Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided defender this summer and Real Madrid are long-term admirers.
Romano has revealed that Leipzig will only consider offers in excess of the world-record fee for a defender, set following Harry Maguire’s £80m move to Manchester United from Leicester in 2019.
