RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed Josko Gvardiol has requested to join Manchester City as talks between the clubs continue. Treble-winning City wants reinforcements at the back and were told by the Bundesliga club late in June that a world-record fee for a defender would be required for a sale to be facilitated. Interest from Pep Guardiola’s side dates back to April. 
Josko Gvardiol on defence duty for RB Leipzig. Source: Getty Leipzig have already lost key first team stars like Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer. The departure of Gvardiol, who started 24 league games as his side came third behind champions Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, would be another hefty blow to the spine of last season’s team. Confirming that Josko Gvardiol has requested to join Manchester City, RB Leipzig Sporting Director Max Eberl told German outlet LVZ; “I can confirm that Joško Gvardiol and agents told us about their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with Manchester. That’s all there is to say at the moment. “Yes, for €100m plus bonuses, Gvardiol will end up in Pep’s strong hands. The value of the deal would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history. But it might take a few more days.” 
Josko Gvardiol celebrating a goal scored for RB Leipzing. Source: Getty Gvardiol has a £97m release clause in his Leipzig contract that becomes active in 2024, but City wants to sign him now. Guardiola has long been an admirer of the young centre-back, particularly his ability on the ball and in duels. The City boss plans to use a four-centre-back system again next season so would rather sign Gvardiol than a full-back. His transfer fee might eclipse the £80m forked out by local rivals Manchester United to Leicester for Harry Maguire back in 2019. Gvardiol had previously been wanted by Chelsea last year but no agreement was ever reached before he signed a new contract with Leipzig. His arrival would add to Guardiola’s strength in central defence. Consistent roles were found for Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones throughout the successful 2022/23 campaign, while Aymeric Laporte often warmed the bench or featured in lower stakes outings.
Christopher Nkunku in a match for RB Leipzig. Source: Getty Also confirming their new signing, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity, and versatility to our squad. “He has demonstrated his ability at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France and we look forward to him joining up with his new teammates ahead of the new season.” Nkunku is Chelsea’s second signing of the summer after the transfer of 16-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle for €20m (£17.27m). He will not join the club until 2025 when he turns 18. 
With the tie finely poised after the first leg in Germany ended 1-1 last month, the pressure was on Pep Guardiola’s side against the Bundesliga’s third-best side. Haaland scored a first-half hat-trick; a penalty, a close-range finish stemming from his pressing of the goalkeeper, and a scrappy third after Leipzig had cleared the ball off the line. He scored two more after the break. It was the first time Haaland has scored five goals in a club match in his career. He also became City’s all-time highest scorer in a single season, taking his tally for the campaign to 39 in all competitions. 
