Josko Gvardiol Expected to Sign Through 2032 — and the Twist Is Who Told Us First

The same Croatian outlet that first reported Josko Gvardiol wanted out of Manchester City is now saying he’s about to stay. And that reversal might be the most telling sign yet that the 24-year-old defender is putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal before preseason gets rolling.

According to Sportske Novosti, Gvardiol is expected to sign a contract extension that runs until at least 2032 — a four-year bump on his current deal. The timing matters: this comes just weeks after the same outlet sparked a firestorm by claiming Gvardiol was pushing for an exit, following Pep Guardiola’s departure from the Etihad last month.

That initial report sent City’s hierarchy into damage-control mode. Director of football Hugo Viana made Gvardiol’s renewal his top defensive priority, viewing the Croatian as the centerpiece around which new manager Enzo Maresca will shape his backline. The team is still adjusting to life after Guardiola, and locking down a 24-year-old who can play both center-back and left-back was always going to be No. 1 on the to-do list.

This week, the momentum shifted decisively in City’s favor. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that the club is optimistic Gvardiol will personally green-light improved terms. Sam Lee of The Athletic added that the defender is settled in Manchester and happy at the club. Gvardiol himself told Croatian media last week that he was content at City and would evaluate his future after the FIFA World Cup — a tournament now entering its knockout phase.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been monitoring the situation, maintaining what sources describe as “contingent interest” should negotiations collapse. But with the new report from the same outlet that originally broke the exit rumors, that scenario is looking increasingly unlikely before the summer transfer window fully opens.

What the new deal means for City’s defense

A contract through 2032 doesn’t just buy time — it reshapes the club’s planning for years. Gvardiol, who joined from RB Leipzig in a $90 million deal, has become one of the league’s most reliable two-way defenders. His ability to step into midfield and carry the ball forward under pressure made him essential under Guardiola, and Maresca appears intent on building similar patterns.

With Ruben Dias reportedly weighing his own future and Marc Guehi establishing himself since a January arrival, City’s defensive core is starting to take shape in encouraging fashion. Guehi’s partnership with Gvardiol has clicked quickly, and locking down one half of that tandem now gives the new manager a stable foundation to work with.

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg previously reported that City’s offer included improved salary terms and ran through 2031. The new report stretches that timeline by an additional year, underscoring the club’s confidence that Gvardiol is more than just a star — he’s the guy they plan to build around.

One detail worth watching: Gvardiol told reporters last week that he would assess his next move after the World Cup. That tournament is still in progress, which means a formal announcement likely won’t come until Croatia’s run ends. Still, all signals point toward an agreement being in place behind the scenes.

If the deal goes through as expected, Manchester City will have answered their biggest defensive question before Maresca runs his first training session. And the club that started the summer fearing Gvardiol might walk may end it celebrating the longest-term commitment of his career.