Real Madrid end pursuit of Manchester City star | OneFootball

Real Madrid are still aiming to bring in another central defender, but it is unlikely to be Manchester City man Josko Gvardiol. The 24-year-old was one of Jose Mourinho’s requests to Los Blancos, but it seems that they will not pursue a deal for the Croatian.

Gvardiol was reportedly considering his future at City following the exit of Pep Guardiola, and Barcelona had shown interest in recent months, despite doubts about their ability to pull off a deal. More recently, it had been claimed that he had been offered to Los Blancos, and that Gvardiol was delaying a new deal with City as he considered a move to the Spanish capital. Mourinho was keen on his ability to play both at left-back and centre-back, as well as his physicality.

Gvardiol poised to sign new Manchester City contract

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Nevertheless, there appeared to be a decisive twist in his future, with Gvardiol deciding to sign a new deal at the Etihad. Fabrizio Romano has claimed that he will pen a five-year contract, keeping him in the Premier League until 2031, and Sport say that it will likely be the final nail in any pursuit from Real Madrid. Los Blancos have been attempting to seduce him in recent weeks, but City are now optimistic that a final deal will be approved, after reaching an agreement on terms with Gvardiol. He had two years remaining on his deal, and would not have come cheap, given they spent €90m on him.

Real Madrid’s alternatives to Gvardiol

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Los Blancos appear to have been prepared to have to reorganise though, and recent reports say that they have three names in mind. One of the names mentioned has been Riccardo Calafiori, but those links have cooled of late. Alessandro Bastoni, Nico Schlotterbeck and Gvardiol’s City teammate Ruben Dias are being discussed as potential options.