Manchester City are set to secure the long-term future of Josko Gvardiol, with the Croatia international expected to sign a new contract on Monday before the club officially announces the agreement.
The 24-year-old defender has been one of City’s most reliable performers since arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023. His renewal comes as the club continues preparations for the new season under incoming head coach Enzo Maresca while working to strengthen the core of the squad.
Gvardiol’s contract extension set for Monday
According to a report from The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Gvardiol will sign his new Manchester City contract on Monday and complete media duties before the club confirms the extension publicly.
The defender’s current agreement runs until June 2028, but the new deal will further strengthen his long-term commitment to the Etihad Stadium. The extension also follows Phil Foden’s recently confirmed contract until 2030, as City continue to secure the futures of key first-team players.
The timing is notable, with the club entering a new era under Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana looking to remove uncertainty surrounding several important members of the squad before the transfer window closes.
Real Madrid interest and Manchester City plans
The new agreement also comes amid interest in Gvardiol from Real Madrid, with Manchester City moving quickly to ensure one of their most valuable defenders remains part of the club’s long-term project.
Throughout the summer, Hugo Viana has stressed the importance of building around the existing core of the squad. Gvardiol fits that vision, having established himself as one of the team’s key players while still only 24 years old.
Since joining from RB Leipzig, he has helped Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, making him an important figure in the club’s recent success.
Josko Gvardiol’s role in Maresca’s squad
Gvardiol returned to Manchester City after representing Croatia at the FIFA World Cup in North America, where his national team was eliminated by Portugal following a 2-1 defeat.
His ability to play both at centre-back and left-back, combined with his composure in possession and physical presence without the ball, has made him one of the club’s most valuable defensive players.
The contract extension provides Enzo Maresca with greater certainty ahead of the new campaign, ensuring one of his leading defenders remains committed to the project as preparations continue.
Manchester City’s defensive future takes shape
Gvardiol’s renewal also helps reduce uncertainty surrounding City’s defensive department, where the futures of several players remain unresolved during the current transfer window.
Alongside Phil Foden’s new deal and the club’s British-record signing of Elliot Anderson, the extension highlights Manchester City’s efforts to secure the foundations of the squad before the new season.
Supporters will now watch closely to see whether more senior players sign new contracts in the coming weeks, but Gvardiol’s extension already represents one of the club’s most significant pieces of business this summer.
