Manchester City may have a lesson to learn from Arsenal this summer transfer window after Pep Gauardiola had his pursuit of Josko Gvardiol derailed.
The 21-year-old looked to be on the brink of a move to the Etihad, with City set to smash their transfer record by signing the centre-back for £90m deal.
However, RB Leipzig's director of sport Max Eberl has since come forward and rubbished claims that a deal is close, stating instead that both clubs are "still very far apart".
"A lot has been written and the latest information about Josko surprised us all," Eberl told the BBC. "Currently, we're still very far apart."As you can see, Josko is here - so it's not true. He didn't do a medical check - not that we know. And I don't think he did it behind our backs because he's just a full professional.
"There is no agreement, not even remotely an agreement."
After losing out to Arsenal over the signing Declan Rice earlier in the window, Guardiola may be looking at his former colleague Mikel Arteta with envy.Arsenal have already spent over £200 million on Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Rice this summer, with Arteta clearly eager to get their business done early.
In turn, they have avoided situations like the one City have encountered, which is partly due to Liverpool's signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, whose departure has already left Leipzig with a void to fill.
"The transfer of Szoboszlai has secured us financially" Eberl told Sky Germany. “We don't need the money. We would prefer Joško to stay."
By waiting around, City have been burnt, whilst Arsenal have added much needed strength in defence and attack.
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