Josko Gvardiol Reportedly Offers Himself to Real Madrid Amid Manchester City Contract Talks

Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol has reportedly made himself available to Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports, with the 24-year-old Croatian international emerging as a prime target for the Spanish club as they seek to address defensive depth issues following a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

Real Madrid’s interest in bolstering their backline is well-documented this window. The club has been linked with multiple high-profile centre-backs, among them Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, whose contractual standoff at Anfield has drawn attention from the Santiago Bernabéu hierarchy. Gvardiol, sources suggest, has now entered the frame as a serious option, with reports indicating that Madrid previously held meetings with his representatives earlier in his career.

Gvardiol joined Manchester City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €90 million. Since then, the Croatian international has developed into one of Europe’s most highly regarded defenders under Pep Guardiola, earning widespread recognition for his performances at the Etihad Stadium. His current contract with City runs until June 2028.

However, Gvardiol’s 2025/26 season has been significantly disrupted. The defender has been sidelined since January 2026, when he underwent surgery for a tibia fracture — an injury that has kept him out of action for a substantial period during a critical phase of the campaign.

Despite that setback, Manchester City are reportedly keen to retain the player on a long-term basis. Club executives are said to have tabled a contract extension that would keep Gvardiol at the Etihad until 2033. Nevertheless, his representatives are understood to be exploring opportunities in Spain, signalling that a departure cannot be ruled out.

Any potential transfer would present considerable financial complexity. With two years remaining beyond the current summer on his existing deal and City having paid a premium to secure him from Leipzig three years ago, securing his signature would demand significant investment from Real Madrid.

For Real Madrid, the search for a reliable centre-back partner has taken on added urgency given the defensive vulnerabilities exposed throughout the current season. The club’s ability to attract top-tier talent remains strong, and Gvardiol — when fully fit — represents a player in the prime years of his career with Champions League and Premier League pedigree.

Gvardiol has also been a consistent presence in the Croatian national team setup, having featured prominently in their recent international campaigns. His recovery timeline from the tibia injury will be a key factor in shaping how this situation develops over the coming weeks as the summer window approaches.