Manchester City stance on Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sales amid transfer interest | OneFootball

Manchester City want to retain both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol this summer despite significant transfer interest in the pair, as per reports.

The update provides an important counterpoint to recent reports linking both defenders with exits from the Etihad Stadium. Inter Milan were this week reported to be plotting a summer move for Dias, with the Portuguese no longer considered a certain stay following Pep Guardiola‘s departure.

Enzo Maresca has agreed a three year contract in principle to replace Guardiola, who decided against seeing out the final year of his deal at the Etihad Stadium to bring the curtain down on an illustrious decade in England.

Real Madrid have maintained a long-standing interest in Gvardiol, with the Croatian entering a critical period in contract negotiations with the club.

Report: City want to keep Dias and Gvardiol

According to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City are determined to hold onto both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol ahead of the 2026-27 season – a clear statement of intent from a club navigating a significant transitional summer under incoming manager Enzo Maresca.

However, as is the case with every player at the Etihad Stadium, City will listen to offers if either of the duo expresses a firm desire to leave as part of a major squad revamp under Maresca.

The update is particularly significant in the context of Dias’ situation. Reports from Italy have suggested City would be willing to listen to offers for the centre-back, with his future cast into doubt ahead of the the managerial change.

Gvardiol’s situation is more straightforward in terms of intent: City have already tabled a long-term contract extension to tie the 24-year-old to the club, though a full agreement is yet to be reached. Director of football Hugo Viana has made the Croatian’s renewal one of his most pressing priorities this summer.

What does City’s stance mean for their summer planning?

Retaining both Dias and Gvardiol would provide Enzo Maresca with a formidable central defensive foundation around which to build his squad, particularly given that John Stones has already departed and Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov -while impressive – are still relatively new to the club’s defensive setup.

Viana’s ability to hold firm on both fronts in the face of serious European interest will be one of the defining tests of his authority as director of football this summer.

City’s position, at least for now, is unambiguous and as things stand, supporters have every reason to believe the two most important defenders on the books will still be at the Etihad Stadium when pre-season begins.