Manchester City are preparing their opening offer for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.
The Croatia international remains a priority for City, with Pep Guardiola keen to add more defensive depth after finding success with playing a back-four consisting completely of central defenders. Talks with Leipzig have been ongoing for some weeks, with the German side aware of interest from the Treble winners.
The Bundesliga side's sporting director admitted last week that Gvardiol had informed the club of his desire to join City, and now ESPN report that a formal offer is on the horizon. Leipzig want the 21-year-old to be the most expensive defender in history and want €100million (£85million), although the report states that City's opening offer will be 'significantly lower'.
Gvardiol has enjoyed two years of exceptional development in Germany after signing from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2021. The central defender impressed on the world stage last season as Croatia made it to the World Cup semi-finals.
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Elsewhere, The Guardian reports that City are one of several sides to have expressed an interest in Israel under-21 sensation Oscar Gloukh.
The 19-year-old has spent the last few months at RB Salzburg, having only joined the Austrian side from Maccabi Tel Aviv for €7m in January. His performances for club and country have attracted plenty of interest from Europe's top clubs, with City joined by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona.
Gloukh's Israel under-21s side take on England in the European under-21 Championship semi-finals on Wednesday. The midfielder also starred for his country at last summer's European under-19 Championship, scoring four goals including one in the final against England.
