Leipzig sporting director claims Man City are not close to signing Josko Gvardiol

The Croatian has been on Manchester City's radar for weeks, with the Citizens being in negotiation with Leipzig.

The Leipzig defender appeared to be on the verge of joining the triple champions, with Manchester City poised to break their transfer record by bringing him aboard in a £90 million move.

However, recent reports from the Leipzig camp have said that a deal is nowhere near completion and no deal is close.

Max Eberl has refuted rumours that Gvardiol is about to join Premier League champion Man City after it was said that talks were at its final stage 

Although it was reported that negotiations between the two clubs were nearing a conclusion. However, Leipzig's director of sport has said as reported by Daily Mail, “There is no agreement with Manchester City. Not even close.

“The fact is that Man City would like to have him. Currently, we are still very far apart. The transfer of Szoboszlai has secured us financially. We don't need the money. We would prefer Josko to stay.”

The 21-year-old has played 88 times for Leipzig since joining the team in 2020, contributing to the team's back-to-back German Cup victories.

At the 2022 World Cup, where Croatia placed third, Gvardiol, one of Europe's top-rated defenders, shone for his country.

The current world record sum for a defender, which is still the £80 million Man United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019, would be surpassed if he were to sign with Man City.