A major update on the future of in-demand Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan has been revealed on Friday.
The subject of midfielder Gundogan’s future, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the blue half of Manchester for some time now.
This comes as the German international’s contract terms at The Etihad continue to inch towards an imminent conclusion.
Man City, for their part, are hopeful of Gundogan ultimately staying put, with the former Borussia Dortmund standout continuing to play a key role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
A host of other clubs, though, are lying in wait, hopeful of taking advantage of Gundogan’s potentially imminent availability.
Two such suitors, meanwhile, come in the form of Arsenal and Barcelona.
Birmingham, UK. 18th Feb, 2023. Mikel Arteta celebrates at the end of the game. Premier League match, Aston Villa vs Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham (Alamy Stock Photo)
Xavi Hernandez, though, has long been pushing Barca to beat out the competition, to add some much-needed experience to his midfield ranks on the back of the departure of Sergio Busquets.
And, if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media on Friday is anything to go by, then Barca’s headmaster soon looks set to see his wish granted.
This comes amid claims that the Blaugrana are on the verge of closing a deal for Gundogan.
As per a report from Diario Sport:
‘At the Blaugrana club, the signing of the City midfielder is practically finished’.
Gundogan, it is claimed, has all but agreed to a pre-contract with Barca, after the powers that be at the Camp Nou agreed to amend their offer to a three-year deal, rather than two with the option of a third.
‘Despite the interference from Manchester City and Arsenal, the footballer wants to close a cycle in the Premier League and open an experience in the Spanish league and would have already given the total OK to the operation,’ it is concluded.
Barcelona ‘have convinced’ Ilkay Gundogan to join them’ despite Man City’s offer to keep him https://t.co/ym3L2rMDr1
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) June 2, 2023
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