After three years with Manchester City, speculation began swirling about Josko Gvardiol’s future in the Premier League.

The Croatian defender, who joined City for approximately £77 million, still has two years remaining on his current contract.

However, with Pep Guardiola leaving the club this summer, reports had suggested that Gvardiol might also consider a move away, possibly to Spain.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, the 24-year-old defender has decided to commit his future to Manchester City by signing a new long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Romano revealed that Gvardiol’s new contract will keep him with the club until June 2031, with formal procedures expected to be completed soon. He emphasised that the player is “staying.”

Reports from Sportske Novosti also confirmed there is now “no doubt” about Gvardiol renewing his deal with City, with sporting director Hugo Viana taking charge of finalising the agreement.

Given Gvardiol’s importance to the Manchester City setup, it appears unlikely that the club would have entertained any offers for him, even with Real Madrid showing interest under their new manager, Jose Mourinho.

The new contract will ensure that Gvardiol remains in Manchester for several more years, providing much-needed stability in defence as the club enters a transitional phase following Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season.

From a strategic standpoint, this decision makes perfect sense for Manchester City. Retaining a player of Gvardiol’s calibre and experience at the back will be invaluable as the team looks to maintain its competitive edge during this period of change.