Many teams bid 100 million USD for the Croatian midfielder

According to French newspaper Foot Mercato, Man City is leading the race when they have prepared $ 105 million to convince RB Leipzig to release Gvardiol. The UAE-owned team also follows a clause that helps Leipzig get a percentage if Man City sells Gvardiol to another team.

In addition to Man City, Man Utd also offered $ 100 million for the 20-year-old midfielder, and Chelsea was willing to pay $ 95 million. Bayern Munich are also interested in the Croatian midfielder, but he just wants the next stop in the English Premier League.

Gvardiol is leading the 2022 World Cup with 32 clearances to save Croatia, including stopping Romelu Lukaku from close range in the last minute of the match against Belgium in the group stage on December 1. As a centre-back, he is also sixth in passing through the line, with 53 making.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic considers Gvardiol "the best defender in the world right now". But the left-footed player thinks he performed well in the World Cup thanks to the midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic. "When there are three midfielders like that playing up front, it's easier for me," said Gvardiol.

Gvardiol has a contract with Leipzig until the summer of 2027 and has no release clause. The 20-year-old central defender grew up from Dinamo Zagreb's training camp, before playing for Leipzig from the summer of 2021. After helping the club win the German National Cup in 2022, Gvardiol was valued at $65 million by Transfermarkt. But after the 2022 World Cup, his value could rise even higher.

Croatia reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the second time in a row after defeating Brazil in a penalty shootout on the evening of December 9. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic also became a Croatian hero when he blocked three penalties from the start of the tournament. Italian newspaper Calcio Mercato said Juventus are looking to recruit Livakovic to replace Wojciech Szczesny.