Man City receive big boost over ‘phenomenal’ target, as his club officially sign £13m replacement

Manchester City’s luck could soon be in over Josko Gvardiol, with RB Leipzig today signing a new centre-back.

Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners have been chasing the Croatian for weeks now.

It is felt that he could potentially take the backline to an even higher level.

Gvardiol has all the attributes to become the best centre-back in the world. Mateo Kovacic has already described him as ‘phenomenal’.

But so far this window Leipzig have dug their heals in.

David Ornstein said recently that talks are still ongoing, and that City have been looking to try and get Gvardiol for less than the initial £85 million asking price.

Potentially, Leipzig may now be willing to accept a slightly lower fee.

Because they have officially just signed a new centre-half.

This morning, Leipzig have announced the signing of Chadaille Bitshiabu from Paris Saint-Germain.

The German outfit have landed the exciting teenager in a deal that will see them pay £13 million initially. It oculd potentially reach £17 million with add-ons.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that PSG negotiated a 25% sell-on clause.

Bitshiabu has taken the number five shirt, strongly suggesting that he will immediately become a first-team option.

This is really good news for City. It is potentially the catalyst for the club to now go and complete the signing of Gvardiol.

City still need to make a big offer to Leipzig.

But perhaps their stance will soften a bit now that they have definitely landed another centre-back, who has been described as ‘one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe’ by their sporting director Max Eberl.

City are about to head out on their pre-season tour of Asia.

It would be brilliant if Gvardiol could be signed in the coming days and he could then join his new teammates out on the tour.