Man City told top star could quit if Pep Guardiola snaps up £80million world cup star

Paul Robinson claims a key Manchester City defensive star could quit the club if Pep Guardiola opts to bring in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol for big money in 2023.

City, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, have all targeted the Croatia centre-back after his superb performances at the World Cup in Qatar.

It’s claimed that City, United and Chelsea are all willing to pay in excess of £80million to sign the 20-year-old. However, that sort of figure is likely to prove too steep for Spurs chief Daniel Levy.

But Robinson, speaking to Football Insider, believes that keeping all the existing centre-halves happy ‘will be a major concern’ if Gvardiol signs up.

Pep Guardiola currently has John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake at his disposal.

Gvardiol signing could put noses out of joint

And when asked by Football Insider if Gvardiol’s potential arrival would change the landscape at the Etihad, Robinson said: “It would be a lot of centre-halves to have.

“Every one of those has got a mistake in them though. It does not seem like Pep Guardiola has a settled centre-half partnership that he wants to play week in, week out.

“One of them might make way if Gvardiol comes in. Ake brings pace and athleticism and he can play at left-back so maybe he would stay.

“Nathan Ake has got a bit more game time this season for Man City. He looks a better player for country than club though. He looks more comfortable playing in a three.

“Look, City can afford to amass top-class players so long as they can keep them all happy. That will be the major concern.”

City are back in action on December 22 when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last 16. Their next Premier League outing is against Leeds on December 28.