Man City set to win race for Josko Gvardiol ahead of Chelsea & Liverpool and more transfer rumours

Manchester City have emerged as leaders in the race to sign Josko Gvardiol ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, according to a new report.

Three Premier League clubs are still in hot pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol ahead of the summer, but it appears Manchester City are currently winning the race to his signature, ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who report that Pep Guardiola is ready to make Gvardiol a ‘priority signing’ this summer.

The report further states that Liverpool, despite their interest, might not be willing to match Gvardiol’s price tag, with the Reds looking to put together a significant rebuild.

Chelsea came incredibly close to landing Gvardiol last summer, but failed in their pursuit and have since spent close to £140 million on centre-backs, giving City a seemingly clear path to sign the 21-year-old.

With Aymeric Laporte’s future unclear amid growing interest from a number of clubs around Europe and his frustration over a lack of game time in Manchester, a defensive reshuffle could be on the cards at the Etihad Stadium. Gvardiol is said to have a £96 million (£114m) release clause in his contract that will become active in 2024.

The Croatian enjoyed a fantastic 2022 World Cup campaign and scored against City last week to earn Leipzig a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie.

Elsewhere, Calciomercato claims Juventus are keeping tabs on Aymeric Laporte with Max Allegri keen on recruiting a left-footed centre-back. Reports suggest an exit for the Spain international could materialise if Pep Guardiola brings in Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.

Italian rivals AC Milan and Roma are also reportedly in the race with Juventus for Laporte as are Barcelona and former club Athletic Bilbao.

After undergoing knee surgery at the start of the season, the centre-half has played just 15 times having started just three Premier League games in 2023 with Nathan Ake seemingly now ahead of him in the pecking order.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are reportedly preparing to try and re-sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, 12 months after selling him to Saints for £14m.

The 19-year-old’s progression at St Mary’s has been stunted by a hamstring injury picked up in September that ruled him out until November, by which time there was only two weeks until the World Cup break.

He provided an assist in the club’s shock 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win over City after netting against Chelsea in August. Lavia has started every league game for Southampton in 2023.

The midfielder has been tipped for a bright future but has seen his side struggle in his first full season as a Premier League first-teamer with Southampton battling relegation. However, that apparently hasn’t stopped City from considering facilitating a return for Lavia, who made two first-team appearances before his Etihad exit.

City have a buy-back clause in the deal but that does not become active until summer 2024. However, it is thought the champions could go in for the Belgian anyway if Ilkay Gundogan leaves when his contract ends this summer.