Stalemate between Manchester City and RB Leipzig for €100 million defender explained

A ‘sticking point’ has emerged in negotiations between Manchester City and RB Leipzig for the transfer of centre-back Josko Gvardiol.

Manchester City are looking to make the 21-year-old their second signing of the summer transfer window, after completing a deal for the defender’s international teammate Mateo Kovacic last month.

The Croatian, who signed for £25 million from Chelsea, has featured in both of Manchester City’s pre-season victories in Japan, starting against both Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich in Tokyo.

Pep Guardiola’s side have two further fixtures before beginning their latest Premier League title defence against Burnley at Turf Moor; with matches against Atletico Madrid in South Korea, and a FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

It remains to be seen whether Manchester City will have agreed a deal to sign Josko Gvardiol prior to the start of the new Premier League season, as RB Leipzig continue to hold out for a record-breaking €100 million fee.

Reports that the two clubs had reached a verbal agreement for a deal last week were quickly dismissed by both parties, with Manchester City still pushing to bring the 21-year-old to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Sport Witness relay a new report from Sport BILD, which claims that the current stalemate in negotiations relates to bonus payments.

Agreeing add-ons continues to prove a ‘sticking point’ according to the German outlet, with Manchester City’s offer of €90 million plus ‘unrealistic add-ons’ a current stumbling block.

RB Leipzig are claimed to be willing to entertain an offer that includes ‘realistic add-ons’, but continue to demand a €100 million package.

Furthermore, Jan Aage Fjortoft reports that Manchester City’s fresh offer for Gvardiol ‘will work’ for the Bundesliga club, with RB Leipzig awaiting the Blues’ ‘next offer’ for the defender.

Gvardiol featured in 41 matches for RB Leipzig last season, and scored against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg at the Red Bull Arena.

The centre-back has a €100 million release clause which becomes active next summer, having moved to RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 as a teenager.