Croatian football representative Joško Gvardiol (24), who is contractually bound to Manchester City for another two years, has reportedly been offered to the Spanish giants Real Madrid, according to reports by the Spanish newspaper AS.

- This is not the first time and it won't be the last that a footballer is offered before the transfer window opens. Real Madrid needs to strengthen its defensive line, particularly the center-back position, but the club was not expecting such a move from one of the most valued defensive players in European football, AS reports without citing a source.

Gvardiol's market value is reported to be 70 million euros, according to the specialized website Transfermarkt. He recently returned to play after suffering a patellar fracture in January.