Manchester City 'make positive progress in Josko Gvardiol talks'

Manchester City are reportedly "advancing" in their pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.

The 21-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in world football having elevated his game to new heights over the last two seasons with Leipzig.

Gvardiol made 41 appearances across all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign with Die Roten Bullen, who won a second successive DFB-Pokal and secured Champions League football courtesy of a third-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

The Croatia international, who scored one of his five goals for Leipzig against Man City in the Champions League last 16 in February, is believed to be one of Pep Guardiola's primary transfer targets and has been identified as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte.

Indeed, Laporte has been tipped to end his five-and-a-half-year spell at the Etihad Stadium after falling down the pecking order under Guardiola in 2022-23, starting just 11 times in the Premier League.

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A recent report claims that Man City began discussions with Leipzig over a summer deal for Gvardiol following their Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last week.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has since revealed that the Citizens are "progressing well" in negotiations on personal terms.

Romano adds that Leipzig will only consider selling Gvardiol for a "huge fee" and will look to keep hold of their star defender for at least one more season if interested clubs fail to meet their asking price.

Gvardiol still has another four years remaining on his contract, which he extended in September last year, and his deal is understood to include a £110m (£94.1m) release clause that becomes active in 2024.

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The left-footed defender, who can operate at either centre-back or left-back, revealed earlier this year that he wants to play in the Premier League after seeing a big-money move to Chelsea collapse last summer.

The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in Gvardiol, who admitted at the beginning of this year that he has 'dreamed' of playing for the former.

However, treble winners Man City are now thought to be in pole position to lure the youngster to the Etihad ahead of 2023-24.

Meanwhile, the Citizens are also said to be progressing with talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is understood to have agreed personal terms with Guardiola's said and recently admitted he is likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.