Manchester City agree deal for Josko Gvardiol, say reports

LONDON – English Premier League champions Manchester City have agreed a fee of €90 million (S$130 million) with RB Leipzig to sign defender Josko Gvardiol, Sky Sports and the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has played 87 times for the German club since moving from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 and was also an integral part of the Croatia side who finished third at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

It is understood that the left-footed player, rated as one of the best centre-backs in European football, will fly to England for a medical examination later this week before the transfer can be finalised, signed and announced.

The deal, with no add-ons, will not make Gvardiol the world’s most expensive defender, with Harry Maguire, who cost Manchester United £80 million (S$136.5 million) in 2019, still retaining that record.

The Croat, who has previously been linked with fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, will team up with midfield compatriot Mateo Kovacic as a new arrival at the Etihad as manager Pep Guardiola makes changes following his side’s treble-winning campaign.

He joins an impressive roster of central defenders at the club, including Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.

Guardiola’s men are preparing for their Community Shield clash with last season’s runners-up Arsenal on Sunday, before they kick off the defence of their Premier League title at Burnley on Aug 11.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have suffered an injury blow.

It was confirmed by their manager Mikel Arteta that Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus will be out of action for the next few weeks, at least, after undergoing a minor procedure on his knee.

The 26-year-old missed much of the second half of last season after he underwent major surgery on his right knee in December.

The former City player had suffered the injury while playing for the national team in Qatar.

“It’s something related to the previous injury that he had, and the surgery,” Arteta told a press conference after the team beat Monaco 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, he has had a little procedure this morning; he had some discomfort in his knee that has been causing some issues and they had to go in and resolve it.

“It’s not something major but he’s going to be out for a few weeks, I think.”

It took Jesus nearly four months to recover full fitness earlier in 2023 in a campaign which saw Arsenal spend weeks in the top spot, hoping to bag their first Premier League title since 2004, before they ended up second.

“It’s a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially with the way he played against Barcelona (in a friendly on July 27),” Arteta added.

“And he was in good condition, and we’ve lost him.

“He’s been feeling some discomfort in the last few weeks, we had to look at it and we had to make a decision.

“And the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quickly as possible, so we decided to do it.”

Arsenal kick off their campaign at home against Nottingham Forest on Aug 12.

At the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Chelsea’s new signing Christopher Nkunku was substituted with a knee injury in Wednesday’s pre-season draw with Borussia Dortmund.

The French forward, who was signed for close to £60 million, went down clutching his leg after a challenge in the ninth minute of the 1-1 stalemate.

The 25-year-old was later seen with an ice pack strapped to his knee.

“The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big issue. We hope it is nothing big,” said Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side will host Liverpool on Aug 13.

“We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him.” AFP, REUTERS