Man City hand Klopp devastating blow by ‘agreeing personal terms’ with ultimate Liverpool target ahead of huge move

Manchester City have agreed personal terms with a player Jurgen Klopp would love to sign for Liverpool, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Both City and Liverpool are in the market to improve their defences during the summer transfer window. City could lose centre-back Aymeric Laporte as he is hoping to join a new club where he will play more often.

The France-born Spain international only managed 24 appearances last term as a result of manager Pep Guardiola liking to tinker with his squad.

The treble winners may also need a new centre-half to join their ranks as John Stones is now operating further forward in defensive midfield, a role in which he is excelling.

Liverpool, meanwhile are aware a defensive overhaul is on the horizon due to Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip reaching 31 years of age. This means the Reds need a younger centre-back to arrive who can become the long-term partner for Ibrahima Konate.

Klopp would love to bring in Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig as Van Dijk’s successor. Gvardiol is just 21 but is already on his way to becoming one of the best defenders in the world.

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Unfortunately for Klopp, he may have to come up against the Croatia international in the Premier League next season. That is because reigning English champions City are getting closer to landing him first.

On June 16, Romano revealed City to be ‘working hard’ when pushing for Gvardiol to join. He added that City were in ‘advanced talks’ with the player’s camp over personal terms, although discussions with Leipzig would follow ‘next week’.

Man City edging closer to massive signing

The journalist has now provided an update on the situation. It makes for great reading for City fans, but not so much for those who support Liverpool.

In a tweet, Romano reveals that City have now ‘agreed personal terms’ with Gvardiol. This means that if they reach a transfer agreement with Leipzig, they will quickly be able to sort out a contract for the Bundesliga star.

It seems Guardiola has been directly pushing for Gvardiol to join, as Romano states that the tactician ‘rates him highly’.

City officials will soon enter into negotiations with their Leipzig counterparts to try and finalise a deal. The German club would love to keep Gvardiol for another year and have therefore set his price tag at a whopping €100million (£86m).

As a result, City will have to make Gvardiol the most expensive defender of all time to bring him to England. The record is currently held by Harry Maguire, who cost City’s rivals Manchester United a huge £80m in 2019.

£86m is a lot of money to spend on a defender, but City are one of the few clubs in the world who have the finances to afford such a transfer. Plus, Gvardiol’s massive potential means he will likely end up being worth that huge sum. He could play for City for the next 10 years and help them to add more Champions Leagues to their trophy cabinet.

Meanwhile, reports in Spain have suggested City could go after one of Paris Saint-Germain’s best players once Gvardiol is captured.