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Guardiola expressed his desire for Josko Gvardiol to remain at
Manchester City as contract discussions continue. -
The City manager acknowledges he has not directly discussed the situation with Hugo Viana.
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The club has proposed a contract extension for the Croatian player amid interest from
Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola has revealed that he has not received any updates regarding Manchester City’s reported contract negotiations with Josko Gvardiol.
In a press conference before the upcoming match against
Brentford, Guardiola was questioned about the club’s reported offer of a lucrative contract extension to the 24-year-old defender, who has been recovering from a tibial fracture since January but has returned to training this week.
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Gvardiol, who moved to City from RB Leipzig in 2023, is facing the final two years of his current contract this summer, with Real Madrid being among the elite clubs showing ongoing interest in the talented Croatian.
Manchester City makes a lucrative contract offer to Josko Gvardiol as Real Madrid emerges as a potential threat.
Guardiola: I want Josko to remain at Manchester City
When directly asked about Gvardiol’s future on Friday, Guardiola shared his limited involvement in the negotiation process.
“I don’t have that information. No, I haven’t spoken to Hugo about that,” he said when queried about his conversations with Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana regarding the reported contract offer to Gvardiol.
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“I would love for Josko to stay – it’s not easy to find a player like him. So hopefully he can remain here!”
Guardiola’s supportive comments highlight the high regard he has for Gvardiol, emphasizing how valuable he is as a player, especially during ongoing contract negotiations.
Before his injury in January, Gvardiol had been a crucial player for City, establishing himself as one of the top defenders in European football and attracting interest from major clubs across the continent.
Viana and his team, having recently secured a new four-year deal for Phil Foden this week, are prioritizing Gvardiol’s contract renewal, which is supported by Guardiola’s public endorsement.
Pep Guardiola press conference: Updates on the fitness of Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol for the Brentford match.
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What is the larger context regarding Gvardiol’s future?
Gvardiol’s situation is one of the most crucial contract decisions facing City this summer, alongside the uncertain future of Rodri, who is also attracting transfer interest from Real Madrid as he approaches the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
With Bernardo Silva and John Stones confirmed to be leaving at the season’s end, Viana will be eager to prevent any further high-profile exits, particularly of a player with Gvardiol’s caliber and potential.
Real Madrid’s interest adds pressure as Gvardiol nears the final year of his contract, but Guardiola made his stance clear on Friday: he wants Gvardiol to stay, rates him highly, and is hopeful that the feeling is mutual.