Treble winnersManchester Cityhave refocussed their attentions towards signing RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, following defeat to Arsenal in the race for Declan Rice.
Etihad Stadium officials officially removed themselves from the pursuit of the England international midfielder on Wednesday morning, following Arsenal’s third bid worth a package of £105 million in total.
City had made one bid prior to that, offering £80 million plus a further £10 million in add-ons, but refused to budge on their own internal valuation following the Gunners’ response offer that was submitted on Tuesday night.
The Premier League champions remain very much active in the ongoing summer transfer window however, and a new ɾєρօɾτ in light of the development concerning Declan Rice has ɾєⱱєɑłєԀ just whereManchester Citywill turn to next.
According toa ɾєρօɾτ from MailSport,Manchester Cityare now pressing ahead in their work towards signing RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol.
Unlike their pursuit of a new central midfielder, and while their focus remains very much on sorting out possible outgoings in the first-team squad,Jack Gaughan ɾєρօɾτsthat the pursuit of Gvardiol is not thought to be contingent on departures.
One possible barrier forManchester Cityevade first however is RB Leipzig’s asking price for the Croatia international, as the Bundesliga side areclaimed to becontinuing to look for around £86 million for the 21-year-old.
City are still expected to contєɴԀ with further departures from Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, namely Aymeric Laporte – who is understood to be weighing up his options this summer in search of more consistent game time.
The former Athletic Bilbao defєɴԀer is thought to be leaning towards a return to Spain, although financial constraints on a number of his more realistic options may hinder any possible proposal from coming to the table.
Elsewhere,Manchester Cityare also thought to be clarifying the respective situations of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva, with the former open to the idea of taking up Bayern Munich on their interest.
The Portugal international has been keen on aManchester Cityexit for a number of seasons now, and his summer transfer window has commanded interest from the Saudi Pro League and Paris Saint-Germain so far.
