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.

Read more
Pep Guardiola is giving his Manchester City a January refresh
Manchester City closing in on window record - as they line up former star as their next signing: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saw his side beat Salford City 8-0 this weekend in the FA Cup
Manchester City edging closer to historic January transfer addition: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may have identified another new signing
Manchester City to continue Pep Guardiola rebuild with European star who already has a 'gentleman's agreement' in place: report
Manchester City managed Pep Guardiola is attempting to rebuild his squad once again
Manchester City report: Agreement reached for Serie A star, with summer move now on the horizon
Raheem Sterling celebrates a goal for Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League in December 2015.
Who is the most expensive Manchester City player of all time?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is said to be pleading for more funds
Manchester City report: Pep Guardiola pleads for an additional £200m to secure double signing
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report