According to Bild, Barcelona have now joined Arsenal in the race to sign Ilkay Gundogan, who has just become a Premier League winner for the fourth time.
What’s the story?
Well, it was the £21m man’s late goal against Aston Villa which sealed the Premier League title for Manchester City, but he could now be leaving the Etihad Stadium.
10 Most EXPENSIVE Footballers Ever | NEYMAR IN 2ND?!
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Bild believe the Citizens want to extend the Germany international’s contract, which expires in June 2023, although he is currently keen to explore his options.
At the age of 31, Gundogan is aware that this could be his last chance to play for another European giant, with Barcelona and Juventus now interested in signing him.
Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation.
Bild‘s news comes after it was said that Mikel Arteta wanted a reunion with Gundogan, who he coached during his days as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester.
Arsenal have supposedly been told that the Citizens would be happy to sell their No.8 for a sum of £17m, which is a very reasonable fee for one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Bild add that Gundogan is hoping to receive regular playing time next season, in order to make Hansi Flick’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The German news outlet add that the £150,000-a-week man is unhappy with Guardiola for leaving him on the bench towards the end of last season.
Arsenal must beat Barcelona to Ilkay Gundogan
In our view, Arsenal would secure themselves one of the deals of the summer if they can get their hands on Gundogan for just £17m.
The German is an elite footballer, who seems to be getting even better as the years go on.
In the 2020/21 campaign, Gundogan impressively scored 17 goals from midfield in all competitions, while he went on to hit ten goals in the season just gone.
As things stand, Arteta doesn’t really have a goalscoring midfielder like him, so his arrival would provide the Gunners with a new dimension.
Keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen this summer.
In other news, ‘Arsenal are long off’: £50m star advised to snub transfer to Emirates
