Barcelona eye signing Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol

Barcelona are reportedly plotting an ambitious summer swoop for Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol alongside ongoing negotiations for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, Report informs via Goal.

However, the Catalan giants face fierce European competition from Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich, who have already initiated formal inquiries to lure the versatile Croatian international back to Germany.

Barcelona have placed Gvardiol high on their defensive shortlist as they look to engineer a marquee transfer window. According to El Partidazo de COPE, the Catalan club are actively exploring a deal for the City star while simultaneously laying the groundwork for Atletico striker Alvarez.

The Spanish champions believe a transfer could be feasible, though they face immediate opposition from Bayern, who are determined to reshape their backline.

The intense speculation surrounding the 24-year-old defender intensified after German football icon Lothar Matthaus explicitly confirmed that the Bundesliga champions are actively pursuing the versatile former RB Leipzig man.

Speaking on Sky, Matthaus revealed the club's ongoing behind-the-scenes recruitment drive. "I have a player in mind and I have heard that inquiries are already being made," Matthaus said. "A former Bundesliga player from Leipzig, currently playing for Manchester City, left-back, can also play in the centre. His name is Gvardiol."

Despite reports from TEAMtalk indicating that Bayern have made contact with the defender's representatives, City remain determined to protect their €90 million investment. Gvardiol has been a dependable figure under Pep Guardiola since 2023, even though a fractured tibia restricted him to 18 Premier League appearances this term. The English club's hierarchy are working on a contract extension to secure his long-term future, running past his current 2028 deal, as they believe the player is settled.