Some players establish themselves so quickly that it’s only a matter of time before clubs in the world come calling.
Josko Gvardiol has been at Manchester City for less than three years.
In that time, he’s gone from promising young signing to one of the most important defenders in European football.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich contact Josko Gvardiol’s representatives
According to TEAMtalk, both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have made direct contact with Gvardiol’s representatives to explore his current situation at the Etihad.
Both clubs have actively been searching for left-sided defensive reinforcements.
Having recently made progress on Phil Foden’s long-term future, attention has now turned to securing Gvardiol.
Manchester City have been preparing to open formal contract talks aimed at extending his deal beyond its current 2028 expiry.
Sources indicate they’re confident Gvardiol is happy in Manchester and that contract discussions will progress positively once they formally begin.
For Real Madrid, the need is acute.
A summer of significant change at the Bernabeu means the defensive structure is likely to look very different next season.
And Gvardiol’s profile fits precisely what the incoming manager, whether Mourinho or someone else, would want to build around.
Bayern Munich’s interest is equally logical.
The Bundesliga giants have been searching for a long-term solution on the left side of defence for some time.
And Gvardiol, at 24 and with World Cup experience and elite club football behind him, is arguably the best available option in that position globally.
However, Gvardiol is currently working his way back from the fractured leg injury he suffered earlier this year.
He’s progressing well in rehabilitation and is expected to return for the final stretch of City’s domestic season before linking up with Croatia for this summer’s World Cup.
So, the timing of both clubs making contact, while he’s injured and before any formal contract talks have begun, isn’t coincidental.
Whether it works depends entirely on what Manchester City put on the table, and how quickly they do it.
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