Liverpool are looking to gazump Manchester City for Josko Gvardiol, with the Treble-winners still yet to agree a deal
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are looking to gazump Manchester City for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, in a huge transfer twist.
The Treble winners have been trying to complete the Gvardiol deal all window and according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the deal is still on. The transfer guru tweeted that a verbal agreement was reached on July 20 – but with RB Leipzig still yet to agree full terms with Manchester City, the move appears to have stalled.
Liverpool have long held an interest in the 21-year-old – and now, are looking to rival the Citizens for his signature.
Josko Gvardiol looks Premier League-bound (Image credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Reds are set to offer £85 million to secure Gvardiol and beat City to the signing.
The move would make the defender the most expensive player in Anfield history ahead of Darwin Nunez and Virgil van Dijk – but could also complete Klopp's line-up with other business this window giving the Merseysiders a radically different looking XI.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold inverting into midfield towards the end of last season, Liverpool played with a box midfield, leaving Andy Robertson forming a back three to build up with – though the Scot is naturally more of an overlapping player.
Gvardiol would allow a natural option to remain in defence at left-back, though can play at centre-back, too. The likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai can play as the duel No.10s ahead of the 3-2 buildup shape.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Gvardiol would give plenty of options to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (Image credit: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Although Liverpool would love to secure Gvardiol, however, the move to Manchester City may well be too far down the line to stop now.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
