Manchester City set to smash a transfer record to sign superstar ahead of Liverpool: report

Manchester City' manager Pep Guardiola speaks to the press ahead of the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester City Football Academy on February 3, 2023 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Manchester City are on the brink of completing a bumper new signing ahead of Liverpool – which will break a transfer record.

The Citizens lifted a historic Treble last season but Pep Guardiola has highlighted the importance of keeping the squad fresh and motivated, with business already conducted this summer. Mateo Kovacic has joined the club from Chelsea, replacing the outgoing llkay Gundogan. 

More moves are in the pipeline, too, with defensive reinforcement eyed, as Guardiola looks to reshape his side – and it won't come cheap. 

Manchester City unveil their new signing Mateo Kovacic at Manchester City Football Academy on June 26, 2023 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City signing Mateo Kovacic has taken Ilkay Gundogan's No.8 shirt (Image credit: Manchester City FC/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

The Telegraph are reporting that Manchester City's imminent move for Josko Gvardiol will cost the European champions £86 million – a world record for a defender.

The move for the Croatian international pips rivals Manchester United's £80m spent on Harry Maguire, a record which has stood for four years. 

Liverpool were also believed to be interested in RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol, as Jurgen Klopp looks for a left-sided centre-back. Guardiola, however, will likely be fielding his near-namesake at left-back, where left-sided centre-back Nathan Ake has been playing for the majority of the season.

City have no natural replacement for Ake in the squad, with Aymeric Laporte looking likely to leave Eastlands due to a lack of game-time during the Treble-winning season.

Croatia's Josko Gvardiol goes down in the area following a challenge from Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat in the sides' World Cup 2022 third-place play-off.

Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol is set to join Manchester City for a world-record fee for a defender (Image credit: Getty Images)

L’Équipe have reported that Lyon starlet Castello Lukeba is being lined up by Leipzig to replace the City-bound 21-year-old. 

Gvardiol is valued at €75m by Transfermarkt

More Manchester City stories

After securing a historic TrebleManchester City transfer news is gathering steam ahead of next season.

Jude Bellingham reportedly turned down the new European champions after taking inspiration from Erling Haaland's career path – though Alphonso Davies could move to the Etihad StadiumBernardo Silva, meanwhile, is a target for Saudi Arabia, while Kyle Walker is wanted by Liverpool.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.