Bid submitted: Manchester United officials make offer to sign £86m “gladiator” alongside Hojlund
Josko Gvardiol, the RB Leipzig defender, is reportedly being pursued by Manchester United, alongside their pursuit of Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund.
During this summer transfer window, Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has already made notable additions to the team, including Andre Onana from Inter Milan and Mason Mount from Chelsea. These signings have cost the club around £100 million, but it seems they are willing to continue spending.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s report, Manchester United has reached a deal worth €70 million for Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta. Hojlund had reportedly only wanted to join Manchester United and agreed to a five-year contract ten days ago.
In addition to Hojlund, Manchester United is also interested in securing Josko Gvardiol, who had been previously linked with a move to Manchester City. A Spanish report indicates that three other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, have expressed interest in signing the defender. While RB Leipzig values Gvardiol at €100 million, Manchester City is considered the frontrunner for his signature.
Gvardiol’s value has significantly risen over the past two years, reaching a career-high of €75 million according to Transfermarkt. The 21-year-old has shown immense potential, with pundits like Owen Hargreaves and journalist Ryan Taylor praising his skills and versatility as a center-back or left-back.
Given the uncertainties surrounding Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford, Manchester United may be seeking defensive reinforcements. While they have rejected an offer from West Ham for Maguire, securing Gvardiol could provide healthy competition alongside players like Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, especially with Champions League matches returning to Old Trafford.
Despite their interest, acquiring Gvardiol might prove challenging due to competition from the other Premier League rivals and RB Leipzig’s high valuation.