Manchester United reportedly considered a move for Manchester City target Josko Gvardiol but ultimately opted to sign Lisandro Martinez.
City have just reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign the defensive stalwart for a fee of £77.6 million, meaning he doesn’t quite trump Harry Maguire’s record price tag of £80m.
According to The Times, Gvardiol was included on Erik ten Hag’s centre-back shortlist last summer – a period in which Chelsea were heavily pursuing him and even agreed personal terms before the Croatian ultimately opted to extend his contract with the Bundesliga club.
United opted against Gvardiol pursuit
For Manchester United, they didn’t go as far as submitting an offer and instead decided to sign Martinez, who was one of the club’s standout performers in his first season.
Martinez cost considerably less than Gvardiol will at £56.7 million and the Old Trafford faithful will be undoubtedly relieved that the club swayed towards the World Cup winner – regardless of how City’s new recruit fares – as the instant impact he on the side was like a breath of fresh air.
