There is still confidence at Manchester City that Josko Gvardiol will sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, even if more dialogue is needed between both parties.
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As per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, there is still confidence at Manchester City that Josko Gvardiol will sign a new contract, even if more dialogue between both parties is needed before an agreement is reached.
The update pushes back on suggestions that an exit is inevitable, indicating City believe the situation can be resolved in their favour despite the considerable interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this summer.
City have been consistent in their desire to keep the defender, with Bajkowski having previously reported the club’s determination to retain both Gvardiol and Ruben Dias throughout the window regardless of external interest.
Viana is understood to have prepared a more financially generous offer for Gvardiol following the reports from Croatia, with City unwilling to show weakness in the wake of Guardiola’s departure by allowing a key asset to walk out of the door.
Gvardiol indicated last week that he was happy at City but would assess his future after the FIFA World Cup, with Croatia participating in the tournament in North America.
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Maresca and Viana are expected to hold direct talks with the defender once the tournament concludes, with the incoming manager keen to outline Gvardiol’s role in his plans for the new season.
Those conversations will be pivotal in determining whether the Croatian commits his future to the club or pushes for a move to one of the elite sides tracking his situation across Europe this summer.
City enter those discussions from a position of strength, with two years remaining on Gvardiol’s current contract and a clear public stance that they have no intention of selling below their stated valuation of €90 million.