Gvardiol becomes the world’s most expensive defender
Munich, Deutschland. 20th May, 2023. Josko GVARDIOL (L), action, single action, single image, cut out, full body shot, full figure football 1st Bundesliga season 2022/2023, 33rd matchday, matchday33, FC Bayern Munich – RB Leipzig 1-3 on 05/20/2023, ALLIAN 2R2RMNC Munich, Deutschland. 20th May, 2023. Josko GVARDIOL (L), action, single action, single image, cut out, full body shot, full figure football 1st Bundesliga season 2022/2023, 33rd matchday, matchday33, FC Bayern Munich – RB Leipzig 1-3 on 05/20/2023, ALLIANZAREN A. ? Credit: dpa/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
LVZ report that Gvardiol’s move to Manchester City will exceed €100 million.
City will initially pay less than that but are eventually expected to clear that hurdle through easily-achievable add-ons.
It will surpass Harry Maguire’s move to Manchester United back in 2019.
World’s most expensive defenders
Joško Gvardiol – €100m+
Stuttgart, Germany. 07th Aug, 2022. Soccer: Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart – RB Leipzig, Matchday 1, Mercedes-Benz Arena. Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol gesticulates. Credit: Tom Weller/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fu 2JN2FK2 Stuttgart, Germany. 07th Aug, 2022. Soccer: Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart – RB Leipzig, Matchday 1, Mercedes-Benz Arena. Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol gesticulates. Credit: Tom Weller/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche FuBball Liga and the DFB Deutscher FuBball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequence pictures and/or video-like photo series./dpa/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
Harry Maguire – €87m
Manchester, England, 8th September 2022. Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture credit should read: Andrew Yates / Sportimage 2K00W4X Manchester, England, 8th September 2022. Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture credit should read: Andrew Yates / Sportimage (Alamy Stock Photo)
Matthijs de Ligt – €85.5m (Ajax to Juventus)
Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) during the Italian Italy Cup match between Juventus 2-4 Inter at Olimpic Stadium on May 11, 2022 in Roma, Italy. Credit: Maurizio Borsari/AFLO/Alamy Live News 2J83P8N Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) during the Italian Italy Cup match between Juventus 2-4 Inter at Olimpic Stadium on May 11, 2022 in Roma, Italy. Credit: Maurizio Borsari/AFLO/Alamy Live News
Virgil van Dijk – €84.6m
Liverpool, England, 31st August 2022. Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage 2JTP03G Liverpool, England, 31st August 2022. Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage (Alamy Stock Photo)
Wesley Fofana – €82.5m
3rd September 2022; Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, England: Premier League football, Chelsea versus West Ham: Wesley Fofana of Chelsea 2JW3R27 3rd September 2022; Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, England: Premier League football, Chelsea versus West Ham: Wesley Fofana of Chelsea (Alamy Stock Photo)
Ruben Dias #3 of Manchester City controls the ball 2JNT5DB Ruben Dias #3 of Manchester City controls the ball (Alamy Stock Photo)
Matthijs de Ligt – €67m (Juventus to Bayern Munich)
Bochum, Germany. 21st Aug, 2022. Soccer: Bundesliga, VfL Bochum – Bayern Munich, Matchday 3, at Vonovia Ruhrstadion:Matthijs de Ligt of Bayern Munich celebrates his goal to make it 2-0. Credit: Bernd Thissen/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the re 2JR2EG3 Bochum, Germany. 21st Aug, 2022. Soccer: Bundesliga, VfL Bochum – Bayern Munich, Matchday 3, at Vonovia Ruhrstadion:Matthijs de Ligt of Bayern Munich celebrates his goal to make it 2-0. Credit: Bernd Thissen/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche FuBball Liga and the DFB Deutscher FuBball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequence pictures and/or video-like photo series./dpa/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
Achraf Hakimi – €66.5m
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the FIFA World Cup Group F match at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar. Picture date: Thursday December 1, 2022. 2KYN2H9 Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the FIFA World Cup Group F match at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar. Picture date: Thursday December 1, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)
Marc Cucurella – €65.3m
Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday August 6, 2022. 2JMH376 Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday August 6, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)
Aymeric Laporte – €65m
LONDON, UK – 22nd Apr 2023: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City applauds the fans after the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium. Credit: Craig Mercer/Alamy Live News 2PP78GP LONDON, UK – 22nd Apr 2023: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City applauds the fans after the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium. Credit: Craig Mercer/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
