UMVA has learned that Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, locked into a contract with Manchester City until 2028, is quietly stirring the summer transfer market with a possible move to Bayern Munich.
The 23‑year‑old centre‑back, who commanded a €90 million fee three seasons ago, may see his price trimmed to roughly €75 million as negotiations heat up, sparking fierce speculation across Europe.
Sources indicate Bayern’s interest is genuine, but the German giants must first clear space in their backline, eyeing potential exits for defenders Hiroki Ito or Min‑jae Kim to make room for the Croatian star.
Manchester City, meanwhile, appears eager to extend Gvardiol’s deal, adding a tangled layer of complexity that could stall any swift departure.
In a twist of fate, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl once shared a successful partnership with Gvardiol at RB Leipzig, a connection that could smooth the path to Munich despite the defender’s recent serious shin injury.
Beyond Bayern, several European powerhouses have turned their gaze toward the young talent; whispers of interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona echo through the corridors of football, though Madrid has downplayed any immediate urgency.
Negotiations for a new City contract have stalled, prompting Gvardiol’s representatives to explore alternative destinations, while uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future fuels further speculation among the squad.
Ultimately, the financial calculus and City’s stance will dictate the outcome, but a €75 million deal could crown Gvardiol as one of the summer’s headline defensive transfers.
