RB Leipzig and Manchester City have agreed on a fee for Josko Gvardiol’s purchase. On Wednesday, the defender completed the first part of his medical and the deal is nearing completion.

Croatia international, 21, can also play leftback and is a centrehalf. A contract to 2027 strengthens Leipzig’s hand in negotiations, and they have been demanding at least €100m (£86.7m).

Gvardiol will become City’s second summer signing after Mateo Kovacic, who joined from Chelsea. Mahrez is close to leaving City for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli for £30 million.

A former Dinamo Zagreb player and Leipzig player, Gvardiol joins a long list of central defenders at City. At the back there are Manuel Akanji, Renato Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Aké and John Stones, although Pep Guardiola has used centre-halves as full-backs and Stones as a midfielder.

After winning the treble, the manager continued to adjust the squad. The club has lost another player who has been an integral part of its success over several seasons with the departure of Ilkay Gündogan last month on a free transfer. Mahrez is the latest player to depart from the club, following the departure of Gündogan last month. Four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League crown have been won by him at City.

Five days after he was found not guilty of raping one woman and attempting to rape another, Benjamin Mendy has signed for Lorient, a French top-division club.