Manchester City confident Real Madrid target will sign a new contract at club

Real Madrid have already confirmed the imminent arrival of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer, but remain on the lookout for one more centre-back.

Manchester City mainstay Josko Gvardiol, in that regard, has emerged as a pivotal target for Los Blancos heading into the summer.

The Croatian international still has two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, but it has been suggested that he is willing to leave the club for Real Madrid after Pep Guardiola’s exit.

Manchester City believe Gvardiol will stay

However, according to Simon Bajkowski of Manchester Evening News, Manchester City expect Gvardiol to stay put at the club this summer.

Gvardiol unlikely to leave. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

In fact, there is confidence within the club that the 25-year-old defender will sign a new contract with the club even if more negotiations are needed to close an agreement.

Only thing that can change the situation is if the player himself asks to leave and Manchester City receive an astronomical offer for him, which, as things stand, they see as extremely unlikely.

What does this mean for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid, for their part, see Gvardiol as the perfect target for their needs, given that he is a left-footed centre-back who can also play on the left-back position whenever needed.

Real Madrid see Gvardiol as a key target. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

As such, they are prepared to go all out for him as long as Manchester City do not hold out for a huge transfer fee. But given the Premier League giants’ current stance they are likely to ask for an enormous amount of money to dissuade any and all suitors.

It makes the possibility of a transfer difficult, forcing Real Madrid to look at other alternatives in the market.