Croatia's world-class Josko Gvardiol is completing his transfer to English champions Man City. -AP
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has welcomed his near-namesake, Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol, to the club with his transfer set to be completed.
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Gvardiol, nicknamed "Little Pep" because his name sounds similar to Guardiola's, is nearing a move to City for a reported 90 million euros ($A150 million) from German club Leipzig, which would rank him among the most expensive defenders in soccer history.
"Regarding Gvardiol — what a beautiful surname he has — he's doing a medical test," Guardiola said on Friday ahead of City's season-opening Community Shield game against Arsenal on Sunday.
"Everybody knows he's here, and hopefully we can finish the deal in the next hours, the next days."
The 21-year-old Gvardiol was praised for his performances during Croatia's run to the semifinals at last year's World Cup in Qatar. He also won the German Cup in back-to-back seasons with Leipzig.
The reported fee puts Gvardiol among the likes of Manchester United's Harry Maguire, who cost Stg 80 million ($A155 million) when he joined from Leicester in 2019, and Virgil van Dijk, who moved from Southampton to Liverpool for Stg 75 million ($A145 million) in 2018.
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