Josko Gvardiol has agreed a new contract at Manchester City until the summer of 2031, ending months of speculation linking the Croatian defender with a move to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old, who won City’s player of the season award in 2024-25, had been expected to leave the Etihad after his previous deal expired in 2028, but sources close to the club told BBC Sport last week that talks were progressing well. Now the deal is done, binding Gvardiol to City for five more years.
But while Gvardiol’s future is settled, City face a fight to keep another key defender. New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is plotting an £80m swoop for Ruben Dias, and the Spanish giants are growing increasingly confident of prising the Portugal international away from Manchester. Real president Florentino Perez is preparing an initial bid, though incoming City manager Enzo Maresca regards Dias as crucial to his plans — especially after the departure of John Stones, which made Dias’s influence even more important. Dias, signed from Benfica in a £60m deal in 2020, has helped City win 11 major trophies, including the Treble in 2023, but the exit of Pep Guardiola has cast doubts on the futures of numerous stars. The centre-back is currently with Portugal at the World Cup, and the lure of a move to Real, where Mourinho has earmarked him to partner Antonio Rudiger, could prove difficult to ignore.
“Josko Gvardiol signs new Man City deal until 2031, as Real Madrid plot £80m Ruben Dias move and target Bernardo Silva.”
City’s problems do not end there. Real are also keeping close tabs on City midfielder Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner, though even Perez admits a double deal is almost impossible. However, City have no power to stop Bernardo Silva from leaving. The Portuguese playmaker, who ended his legendary City career at the conclusion of the season, is set to join Real as a free agent after the World Cup.
Gvardiol, meanwhile, is preparing for Croatia’s World Cup opener against England on Wednesday — a game that could see him face some of his own City team-mates. His new deal runs until 2031, but with Maresca’s squad already under siege from Real, the summer is far from over.