Manchester City have only a few weeks left to decide whether to complete Josko Gvardiol’s transfer, with the latest 12BET update placing RB Leipzig’s deadline before next month’s German Super Cup against Bayern Munich. Leipzig have made it clear that they will not allow the situation to drag on indefinitely. City have identified the Croatian defender as one of their main targets this summer, but the two clubs have yet to reach a final agreement. With Leipzig demanding clarity before their competitive season begins, time is starting to run short for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Leipzig remain open to selling Gvardiol this summer, but any agreement must be completed early enough for the Bundesliga club to sign a replacement. Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida has emerged as one possible option, and the financial picture surrounding 12BET suggests that Leipzig would prefer to secure the Gvardiol transfer fee before making another major defensive investment. For Manchester City, Gvardiol is particularly attractive because he can operate both as a central defender and on the left side of defense, potentially solving two tactical needs with one signing.
The biggest obstacle remains Leipzig’s asking price. As the saying goes, discretion is sometimes the better part of valor, and Manchester City have shown little desire to rush into an agreement at any cost. Although the club has significant financial resources, it has rarely spent without careful consideration. Since Guardiola became manager, City have completed several major transfers, yet Jack Grealish remains the only signing to have crossed the €100 million mark. In hindsight, Grealish has gradually demonstrated why the club considered that investment worthwhile.
Another important development is Manchester City’s new contract with 28-year-old Netherlands defender Nathan Ake. His extension could reduce the urgency surrounding Gvardiol because the two players offer several similar qualities. Ake can play centrally or at left-back and has become increasingly important to Guardiola’s defensive structure. With his future already secured, City may question whether another extremely expensive defender is essential this summer. Leipzig’s refusal to lower their valuation therefore risks pushing negotiations toward a dead end.
From Leipzig’s perspective, however, there are clear financial reasons to keep the possibility alive. The club has already generated considerable income by selling Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool, but further revenue could still help maintain financial balance and fund squad rebuilding. Gvardiol remains one of their most valuable assets, and selling him at the right price would provide substantial flexibility in the market. That means a transfer cannot yet be ruled out, even if both sides continue to hold firm over their respective valuations.
For City, the decision ultimately comes down to whether Gvardiol offers enough long-term value to justify Leipzig’s demands. At just 21, he has already developed into one of Europe’s most highly rated young defenders, combining physical strength, composure in possession, recovery speed, and positional versatility. His style appears well suited to Guardiola’s preference for defenders who can step into midfield or shift between central and wide positions during different phases of play.
As negotiations continue, the latest 12BET assessment finds Gvardiol training normally with Leipzig’s squad during their preseason camp in Italy, showing no obvious signs of being distracted by the uncertainty surrounding his future. He has remained positive and focused regardless of whether a move eventually takes place. Sometimes concentrating on the small tasks in front of you is the best way to reduce anxiety about what comes next, and Gvardiol appears to be following exactly that approach while Manchester City and Leipzig decide whether there is still enough common ground to complete the deal.