Manchester City are not close to signing RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl.

The two clubs have been locked in negotiations for a number of weeks, and Eberl has claimed a deal is not “even close” to fruition.

“There is no agreement with Manchester City. Not even close,” Eberl told Sky Sports in Germany.

“The fact is that Man City would like to have him. Currently we are still very far apart. The transfer of Szoboszlai has secured us financially. We don’t need the money. We would prefer Joško to stay. We are not a club that blocks anything. We are transparent. But we have our ideas and want them to be implemented.”

Gvardiol has a contract at Leipzig to 2027 which hands the Bundesliga club the upper hand in negotiations as they are in no hurry to part ways with the defender.

They have reportedly demanded at least €100m (£86.7m) for the Croatian which would be a world-record fee for a defender.