Barcelona shows strong interest in Croatian national team star Joško Gvardiol as their prime target for defensive reinforcement ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window, per reports from Mundo Deportivo echoed across major Croatian media outlets.
The Catalan giants face a critical shortage at center-back. Ronald Araujo (26) remains sidelined due to mental health issues following a red card against Chelsea in the Champions League, while Andreas Christensen’s high-wage contract expires this season without renewal.
Barcelona seeks a versatile left-footed stopper capable of shifting to full-back, strong ball-playing skills, top-tier experience, and ambition to join a club of their stature—ideally available via realistic offers.
At 23, Gvardiol emerges as the perfect match: a left-footed defender thriving at Manchester City since his €90 million record transfer from RB Leipzig in 2022, where he has logged 116 appearances as a Pep Guardiola mainstay.
His current €70 million Transfermarkt valuation (down slightly from the purchase fee) and contract until 2028 position him as attainable if City faces changes, such as Guardiola’s rumored departure, opening the door to a squad rebuild.
Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni (26, €80 million) ranks as the secondary option, sharing the same contract expiry and profile traits.
Croatian outlets amplify the hype: Večernji list claims a “sensational confirmation” that Gvardiol is leaving City for an even larger salary at his next club, while Net.hr reports him “signing for one of the world’s biggest clubs.”
Index.hr labels it a “bomb from Spain,” reinforcing Barcelona’s proactive market scouting despite ongoing Financial Fair Play hurdles they expect to resolve by summer.
City rarely sells starters, and Barcelona’s 1:1 fair play restrictions complicate mega-deals, though normalized registration rules could unlock pursuits like this.
Gvardiol’s rapid rise from Dinamo Zagreb to the global elite underscores his appeal for a homecoming narrative with Vatreni fans.
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