RB Leipzig have told Manchester City that they must conclude the deal to sign Josko Gvardiol before the Premier League season starts.
The Cityzens have made Gvardiol their primary defensive target this summer.
They have already agreed to personal terms with the Croatian centre half. However, RB Leipzig are demanding a world record £86m to part ways with their defensive star.
While the two clubs remain locked in negotiations over the structure of the deal, the German Bundesliga side has set a deadline for the agreement to be concluded.
Read more: Mauricio Pochettino responds to Chelsea links to Kylian Mbappe
According to reports, Leipzig has asked City to ensure they have completed the deal before the Premier League season starts to allow the German club to sign a replacement for Gvardiol.
The Bundesliga side, who are open to selling the 21-year-old, need a replacement. They are eyeing both Feynoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida and Lyon’s Castello Lukeba.
City have signed just Mateo Kovacic so far this summer. But there is outside interest in a host of their players including Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva. Meanwwhile Riyad Mahrez is set to be announced as an Al-Ahli player for £30m.
Leipzig faces Bayern in the German Super Cup on August 12, and Marco Rose wants his squad set before that date. City also kick off their Premier League campaign against newly-promoted Burnley that weekend.
