Man City take embarrassing blow as manager knows ‘nothing about’ £86million transfer despite reports

RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has stated he knows “nothing about” medicals as part of a Josko Gvardiol move to Manchester City, as he believes he “will remain one of our players”.

City have completed just one transfer so far this summer: that of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. It was a must to replace departing skipper Ilkay Gundogan, and they did so with an experienced Premier League talent.

Things have been quiet since then, seemingly because all the club’s energy is focussed on a move for Leipzig defender Gvardiol. He’s been their top target for months, and a breakthrough seemed to have come recently.

Indeed, it was reported on July 19 by respected transfer insider Fabrizio Romano that there was an “agreement reached on the fee” between Leipzig and City, and that Gvardiol “has completed the first part of medical tests”.

However, that’s been disputed by perhaps an even more trusted source in Leipzig’s manager, Rose, who suggests the defender is staying put, and that he knows nothing about the transfer.

“Joško is one of our players and as far as I know he will remain one of our players,” he told Sky Sport Germany.

“I don’t know anything about a medical check, nothing about a first and nothing about a second. I think if it was, I would know as head coach!”

It would certainly be a surprise if the manager wasn’t informed one of his players was being sold, let alone one of the most important members of his squad.

This is the second time in a couple of days that cold water has been poured on the snare. Indeed, Sky Sports‘ Kaveh Solhekol detailed how a deal is “not close” and Leipzig feel there is a “chance he may stay at the club”.

While he suggests that might be a negotiating tactic to make City pay a big fee, it may also be that Leipzig really don’t expect the defender to leave.

In any case, it seems that City need to do more to make the deal happen, as it doesn’t seem it’s near yet. This may make them go harder for the snare, or step back and attempt to sign another centre-back instead.

READ MORE: The most expensive goalkeepers ever: Man Utd join Arsenal and Chelsea with two entries