Manchester City could lose Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona this summer as the Spanish giants are offering the midfielder something City aren’t.
City are on course to win the treble, with huge games in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup to navigate before the end of the season.
However, transfer talk is starting to dominate the headlines, and one of the main topics of conversation is the future of club captain Ilkay Gundogan.
The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the current season, and so far no agreement on an extension has been reached.
Gundogan has enjoyed a superb campaign at the Etihad Stadium, which is why there is no shortage of interest in his services from other clubs.
Barcelona have been linked with the German international since last season, and now they could be about to land their target.
According to The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan, Barcelona are offering Gundogan a two-year contract, whereas City only want to extend his stay in Manchester by one.
Guardiola has made his feelings clear
While not directly involved in contract negotiations, City boss Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he wants to work with Gundogan beyond the end of the season.
Speaking after City’s 2-1 win against Leeds on Saturday – in which Gundogan scored a first-half brace – Guardiola reflected on the German’s ability to carry out his instructions to the letter.
“I remember one season when we won maybe the second Premier League [title] that we won here, Fernandinho was injured for a long time and he [Gundogan] played as a holding midfielder in games like for example Burnley away, with long balls, second balls – and he played [perfectly]”, Guardiola said.
“In that feeling I said without him we are not able to win the Premier League. He’s so intelligent, Gundo.
“So clever, so intelligent, so competitive, under pressure he handles it without a problem. He’s one of the best players I ever trained in my career as a whole package. He’s top class.”
Defender Manuel Akanji echoed his manager’s thoughts.
“He [Gundogan] is the best I’ve ever played the possession game with,” he said.
“I feel he has eyes in the back of his head. He does these turns and knows exactly what is happening around him. It looks so easy. He could do it with his eyes closed.”
The MCN view
Like Guardiola, City fans want Gundogan to stay. Despite his age his is still clearly good enough to play at the very top level, and if City miss out on Jude Bellingham, then he could be even more important.
However, if Barcelona are offering Gundogan more stability with a longer deal, then it’s no surprise that he has dragged out his decision.
If the next few seasons are to be the last of his elite-level career, then it makes sense to take the longer contract.
