Man City favourites for potential €100m transfer of star who used to watch Liverpool games with his father

Manchester City remain in control of the situation of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer despite talk of Liverpool or Manchester United hijacking the bid.

According to Ben Jacobs in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, the Croatia international remains a top target for City, though he’ll likely cost around €100million to finally prise away from Leipzig.

Jacobs says the links with both Man Utd and Liverpool are likely being used to put pressure on the treble winners to meet Leipzig’s demands.

Gvardiol would be an exciting signing for any top club, and City would do well to strengthen what is already such a good squad with an elite prospect like this.

Liverpool would surely also do well to beat their rivals to such a quality signing, and Jacobs does say that Gvardiol used to watch Reds games with his father growing up.

City are seemingly still in control, though, even if things aren’t as advanced as they thought they were earlier in the summer.

“Manchester City are still focused on signing Josko Gvardiol. RB Leipzig sports director Max Eberl recently denied an agreement was in place last month. 21-year-old Gvardiol is valued around €100m. If Manchester City succeed, they will definitely have to make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in football history,” Jacobs said.

“Eberl said he was “surprised” by talk of an agreement being done, adding Leipzig and Manchester City were “very far apart” in valuation. But there was certainly a point last month where Manchester City felt a deal was close. Leipzig have also been irked by how publicly negotiations have played out.

“Although we are hearing reports of a last-ditch Liverpool or Manchester United bid, I sense that’s just to provoke Manchester City into matching Leipzig’s