Man City plot record-breaking offer for top Guardiola target as deal with Chelsea star edges closer

Pep Guardiola has identified two world-class players he wants to add to his Manchester City squad this summer, according to reports. 

The manager is expected to have plenty of funds to spend and has already started working on his top targets. So, the Cityzens are certainly a team to keep an eye on in the transfer window.

Man City have enjoyed a simply remarkable season. Guardiola guided his team to a historic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

However, his squad could look quite different next season. Indeed, one potential departure is club captain Ilkay Gundogan.

The 32-year-old’s contract at the Etihad is set to expire this month. Guardiola has already offered him an extension, however, amid interest from Barcelona, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, the contract remains unsigned.

Whatever happens with Gundogan, Man City are expected to make several additions in the transfer market. For instance, as reported by TEAMtalk, Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is one of Guardiola’s key targets.

Man City have already agreed personal terms with Kovacic, so all that is left to negotiate is a transfer fee with the Blues.

READ MORE: Arsenal legend Wenger warns Man City how many players they ‘need to change’ to preserve treble glory

Man City eye record-breaking Gvardiol move

However, Kovacic isn’t the only Croatia international Guardiola has his eye on. Indeed, the manager is keen to bring in RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol.

The 21-year-old is considered to be one of the best young defenders in Europe. So, it would be a major coup for Man City to bring him in.

But, he won’t come cheap. In fact, the Cityzens will have to set a new world-record transfer fee for a defender to get a deal done, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano recently.

Those claims have now been backed up by transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, who has given his thoughts on Man City’s transfer window.

“Manchester City have a few priorities this summer. The first is to get captain Ilkay Gundogan to extend. The club are awaiting his decision. Nothing is decided yet, but it will be very soon,” Jacobs told CaughtOffside. 

“In terms of major incomings, keep an eye on Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. A major outlay will be required because Gvardiol only extended his contract with Leipzig last year.

“All clubs are put off by Leipzig’s valuation, which will be at least £85m (€100m). This means paying a world-record fee for a defender, which is currently set at the £80m Manchester United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019.

“Meanwhile, Gvardiol’s Croatia teammate Mateo Kovacic is going to be far more attainable. Kovacic has already accepted personal terms with Manchester City and there is optimism a fee with Chelsea can be agreed.”

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if Man City can complete deals for the Croatian duo. If they do, they could be even more of a force next season.

READ MORE: Tottenham bid £18.8m for readymade centre-back, as Postecoglou eyes Man Utd, Man City stars in major defensive revamp