How Barcelona failed in their surprise pursuit of Josko Gvardiol
Barcelona's attempt to sign Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol was rejected before the player committed his long-term future to the Etihad.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Diliff
Towards the end of 2025, Barcelona formally explored a move for Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol. Hansi Flick was looking for versatile defensive reinforcements, and the Croatian's ability to operate both as a centre-back and a left-back made him an ideal target for the Blaugrana's tactical system.
However, the pursuit hit an immediate roadblock. Josko Gvardiol had no desire to leave the Premier League, and Manchester City viewed him as an indispensable pillar of their project. Despite the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the club's financial affairs at the time, the hierarchy at the Etihad remained firm, refusing to entertain any discussions regarding his departure.
City’s stance was bolstered by their plans to reward the defender with a new, lucrative contract. This effectively prevented Barcelona from initiating a bidding war, as it became clear that the player was fully committed to his starting role under Pep Guardiola and his successor, Enzo Maresca. The transfer saga concluded in July when Gvardiol signed an extension keeping him in Manchester until 2031.
With the Gvardiol deal off the table, the Spanish club has shifted its focus to Serie A. Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni has now emerged as Flick's primary alternative for the defensive position.