HARRY MAGUIRE is set to lose his status as the most-expensive defender on the planet as Manchester City edge closer to signing Josko Gvardiol.

The Croatian international, 21, has been a long-time target of Pep Guardiola.

2Man City are ready to pay a record fee to land Josko Gvardiol from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty

The £85m Harry Maguire is currently the world’s most-expensive defenderCredit: Getty

Leipzig will let Gvardiol leave but only if they receive £78million plus bonuses, which could take the deal to around £85m.

City had indicated they are ready to table a £68m bid but Leipzig had warned that will not be enough.

Now The Times are claiming that the Cityzens “have stepped up talks” with the German club over a world record deal.

This fresh update states that Leipzig are demanding £86m plus bonuses for Gvardiol – which would eclipse the £85m Manchester United paid Leicester City for 30-year-old England ace Maguire in 2019.

The Bundesliga club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, has confirmed that talks are underway over the move.

And he revealed that Gvardiol has made it clear he wants to go to the Etihad.

Eberl said: “Gvardiol and his agents gave us their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with City.”

Gvardiol, who has 21 caps for his country, joined Leipzig in a £14m from Dinamo Zagreb although was immediately loaned back to the club where he made his mark.

But in the last two years, he has made 87 appearances for Leipzig and his strong performances at the back have alerted City.

Now he looks set to join his compatriot Mateo Kovacic, who moved to City from Chelsea for £30m last week, at the Etihad.