Josko Gvardiol has been assured he belongs at the very heart of Manchester City's plans for years to come. The Croatian defender's new contract, officially confirmed by the club, runs through to 2031 — a three-year extension that signals more than just financial commitment.
According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, conversations between the player and the club made clear that Gvardiol is considered one of the three most essential figures in Enzo Maresca's squad. The other two are Phil Foden, tied down until 2030, and Erling Haaland, whose deal stretches to 2034.
Why this matters now
The timing is deliberate. City have moved on from senior defensive figures like John Stones and Nathan Ake this summer. That leaves Gvardiol not merely as an option among several, but as a long-term foundation piece.
He had been strongly linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in recent weeks. The extension — and the status that came with it — appears to have settled that speculation.
Elsewhere on the contractual front, Rodri's situation remains unresolved. He has been offered a lucrative long-term deal beyond 2027, but Real Madrid continue to target a blockbuster summer move in excess of €50 million.
For now, though, the focus is on those already locked in. Gvardiol, Foden and Haaland form the spine Maresca will build around. The season starts on 23rd August. The first pre-season friendly is against Inter Milan on 1st August.