Real Madrid force Man City into WORLD RECORD gamble
Carlo Garganese
- 9 Aug 2023 12:33 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester City were forced into overpaying for Josko Gvardiol’s this summer by Real Madrid.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that City feared that if they didn’t sign Gvardiol this month then Madrid would have entered the race in 2024.
Subsequently, City were forced into bowing to Leipzig’s hefty demands and paying a €90 million fee for Gvardiol.
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This made Gvardiol the most expensive defender and centre back of all time when valued in euros.
Man City had wanted to pay a smaller fee for Gvardiol but were worried about the consequences of not clinching the Croatian now.
It had been an open secret about how Gvardiol wished to play for Madrid in the future.
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What has Gvardiol said about Real Madrid?
"Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world," Gvardiol said last year.
"Maybe one day I can play there. I'd like to, yes.
"[Luka] Modric doesn't have to tell me anything about Real Madrid, there's no need. I already know everything. I know it's the biggest club in the world and how important it is to be linked to a team like that."
Thus, City avoided the risk of losing Gvardiol and paid more than they ideally wanted to.
Gvardiol brilliant in 2022-23
Gvardiol has emerged as arguably the most exciting young central defender in Europe over the last year and Pep Guardiola is known to be a huge fan of the player.
He was one of the best defenders at the 2022 World Cup for Croatia, who made it all the way to the semi-finals, finishing third.
Gvardiol also impressed for Leipzig and actually scored for them against Man City in their Champions League last-16 first leg in Germany.
The two teams drew 1-1 before City won the second leg on the way to claiming the title.
