Real Madrid have made it a habit of signing some of the best young talents in world football. In 2020, they brought in Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes. In the summer of 2021, they signed Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco. And this time around, it is Jude Bellingham, who has moved to the Spanish capital.
There is another very highly-rated youngster that they were heavily linked with in recent times though. But it looks like he is set to join Manchester City instead.
That player is none other than Josko Gvardiol. Links with Real Madrid had intensified after his superb 2022 World Cup campaign. He was arguably the best defender at the tournament and helped Croatia to a third place finish.
Thus, it is not hard to see why Real Madrid might have been interested in him. They ended up signing Bellingham in a blockbuster deal this summer though. And it looks like Gvardiol is heading to Manchester City.
Manchester City agree deal to sign Real Madrid target
As tweeted out by Fabrizio Romano, Gvardiol to Manchester City is a ‘here we go’. An agreement has been reached on the transfer fee between the European champions and RB Leipzig. The Croatian has completed the first part of his medical tests today and the deal is on the verge of being signed.
Gvardiol is just 21 years of age and is already considered amongst the best in the world in that position. Thus, he has the potential to be the best defender of his generation, if his development goes according to plan. And Pep Guardiola is someone known to get the best out of players.
Someone like Gvardiol could have been an excellent signing for Real Madrid. David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho are all over 30 years of age. But unfortunately, the Croatian is joining their direct competition for the Champions League.