Barcelona and Real Madrid eye Gvardiol as Manchester City weigh €75m sale

Josko Gvardiol is willing to leave Manchester City this summer, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid have been identified as potential destinations for the Croatian centre-back, according to CaughtOffside. City, who signed the 24-year-old from RB Leipzig for €90m in 2023, are prepared to accept a fee in the region of €75m.

Gvardiol’s openness to an exit is linked to Pep Guardiola’s departure from the Etihad Stadium. Bayern Munich are also in the picture, with the German club keen to bring him back to the Bundesliga three years after he left Leipzig for England. Gvardiol has previously made his interest in a move to Real Madrid known, having offered himself to the Bernabeu club.

Despite the reported interest, Gvardiol is not currently a priority for either Spanish giant. Real Madrid have yet to finalise their transfer targets for the window, while Barcelona’s immediate focus lies elsewhere — the Catalan club are close to completing a deal for Anthony Gordon and are prioritising a new striker as their next move once that transfer is wrapped up.

Both clubs entered the summer with central defence identified as an area needing reinforcement. Borussia Dortmund and Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck had been on their radar earlier in the year, but interest cooled after he signed a new contract, redirecting attention toward the Premier League.

At €75m, Gvardiol would represent a discount on his original transfer fee for a player who has consistently performed well in England. Whether either Madrid or Barcelona ultimately move for him will likely depend on how their other business unfolds in the coming weeks.