Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have initiated contact with the representatives of Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol, exploring the feasibility of a blockbuster transfer.
Both the clubs are reportedly ‘huge admirers’ of the 24-year-old defender.
However, the Premier League giants have no intention of selling their prized asset.
City are planning a decisive move, moving quickly to open formal contract extension talks to secure the 24-year-old’s long-term future and firmly ward off his elite suitors, according to TEAMtalk.
Man City defender is a wanted man this summer
The intense interest from both Madrid and Bayern hardly comes as a surprise.
Both European giants are actively scouring the market for premium, left-sided defensive reinforcements, and Gvardiol’s fits the profile of the player they are looking for.
Capable of operating seamlessly as a progressive, ball-playing centre-back or as an attacking threat from left-back, the Croatian international has established himself as one of the most complete defenders in the modern game.
Yet, Gvardiol’s current campaign has been defined by off-pitch frustration rather than on-pitch action.
A severe right tibial fracture sustained during a hard-fought draw against Chelsea in early January abruptly derailed his season, forcing him into months of strenuous rehabilitation.
While City were compelled to navigate a severe defensive injury crisis in his absence, eventually recruiting Marc Guéhi in the winter window to bolster the backline, manager Pep Guardiola’s reliance on Gvardiol’s unique skill set has never wavered.
Guardiola recently made his stance clear to the media, noting that a player of Gvardiol’s caliber is incredibly rare to find and expressing his explicit desire for the defender to remain in Manchester.
City are desperate to keep the young defender
With his existing agreement set to expire in the summer of 2028, Gvardiol is entering that delicate two-year window where rival clubs often attempt to apply transfer pressure.
Recognising the impending threat, Man City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, is moving aggressively to maintain core squad stability.
Emerging reports indicate the club is tabling an extension that would keep him at the Etihad until at least 2030, complete with an option for an additional year and a substantial pay rise reflecting his cornerstone status.
The club holds immense leverage, backed by a highly competitive sporting environment where Gvardiol is understood to be exceptionally happy.
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