Manchester City has reached an agreement to extend Josko Gvardiol’s contract, keeping the Croatian international at the club until the summer of 2031. Reports published on July 28, 2026, said the defender’s deal runs through 2031. The extension is reported to include a large salary increase and is expected to be officially announced soon, Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports. Gvardiol’s agent travelled to Manchester at the start of the week to complete the final steps before the signing. The visit underlines the club’s determination to secure one of its most reliable defenders for the long term.
English media outlets had previously reported that the terms of the extension were settled, with Manchester City prioritising Gvardiol’s retention as a core part of its defensive line. The 24-year-old Croatia international can play both centre-back and left-back, giving the club options across the back line and in its build-up play. Since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, he has established himself as a regular and become an impressive part of the team’s tactical setup and defensive stability.
Gvardiol’s move from Leipzig was reported at €90 million, a fee described by Sportingpedia as the highest paid for a defender. Earlier in the 2023 negotiations, Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl said Manchester City and the German club were negotiating over the transfer. Reports at the time discussed a package that could reach €100 million plus bonuses. The figures reflect how reported transfer fees can differ depending on whether they refer to a guaranteed amount or include add-ons.
The extension rewards Gvardiol’s performances and signals the club’s intent to build around a stable defensive core. Barcelona was reported in October to be monitoring him, but its interest was described as exploratory, not a bid or transfer negotiation. A contract through 2031 is so basic to the current picture: the defender is a long-term part of Manchester City’s plans, while outside interest remains transfer-market context.
Gvardiol’s rapid adaptation to English football has drawn attention across Europe. His 2023 transfer was one of that summer’s most impressive defensive signings, and his ability to cover basic and left-sided roles has added tactical flexibility to Manchester City’s defence. The club’s effort to retain basic players reflects a wider strategy among leading European teams: maintaining squad continuity while competing for elite talent in a costly transfer market. The new deal is intended to keep Gvardiol at the club through the 2030-31 season and support Manchester City’s domestic and European ambitions.
