Apply Android Gradle plugin using new syntax

I just ran into the same problem and found the solution here. The problem results from the fact that Google for whatever reasons decided to put the application plugin not into Gradle's repository of community plugins.

In build.gradle remove the buildscript block completely and just add

plugins {
    id 'com.android.application' version '3.4.0'
}

In settings.gradle add

pluginManagement {
    repositories {
        gradlePluginPortal()
        jcenter()
        google()
    }
    resolutionStrategy {
        eachPlugin {
            if (requested.id.id == "com.android.application") {
                useModule("com.android.tools.build:gradle:${requested.version}")
            }
        }
    }
}