Pep Guardiola delivers significant update on Manchester City’s transfer plans following Josko Gvardiol capture

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken of the imminent arrival of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiola ahead of Sunday’s FA Community Shield game against Arsenal.

The European champions end their pre-season with as many tests as at home when they take on last season’s title rivals at Wembley, having won their third Premier League title in one fell swoop in May.

Guardiola has added Mateo Kovacic to his ranks following a £30m transfer from Chelsea and confirmed Josko Gvardiol is undergoing medical tests after City agreed a £78m deal for the 21-year-old defender with RB Leipzig this week has.

During a press conference on Friday afternoon, the Catalan said of the upcoming signing: “What a great name he has! As for (Josko) Gvardiola, he’s undergoing medical tests and everyone knows he’s here (at Manchester City). Hopefully we can.”

“We’ll finalize the deal in the next few days.” After the farewells of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez in the transfer window, the arrival of Gvardiola should pave the way for Aymeric Laporte, who seals the awaited exit after losing last season was sunk in the defensive pecking order.

However, Guardiola remains open to keeping the 29-year-old Spain international in what would likely give Manchester City the strongest defense in world football.Asked if six centre-backs is too many to be in the first-team next season, Guardiola said: “The season is so long. Six isn’t too many, no.”

Manchester City have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Rennes’ Jeremy Doku as they look to replace Mahrez, who joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli for a deal worth up to £30 million last week.

Encouragingly, Guardiola confirmed that City are looking to make a few more additions to their squad after they announce the signing of Gvardiol in the coming days. “I don’t know if we are finished in the transfer market, still some more I think,” he added, as it remains to be seen if City strengthen their interest in the likes of Olise and Doku or look elsewhere.

City Xtra reported last month that Manchester City had ruled out moves for Barcelona’s Raphinha and RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo to replace Mahrez, with the club still believed to be unsure on what they are looking for in the ideal wide attacker to come in.