Manchester City have announced their release list ahead of the new season and it's of significance to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to complete his first signing of the summer transfer window.
Among the four players being let go by the current Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League holders, captain Ilkay Gundogan is included in the list. This will be of interest to the north London outfit as they've been heavily linked with a move for the Germany international.
The Gunners are no strangers to luring players away from the Etihad Stadium having signed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer, but the difference is that the 32-year-old would not command a transfer fee due to his contract finishing at the end of the month.
Judging by Man City's list which was submitted to the Premier League on Friday, it would appear that Gundogan is set to become a free agent from June 30 and Arsenal have actually been free to approach him with regard to a pre-contract agreement since the final game of the league campaign last month.
Although as pointed out by our friends at the Manchester Evening News, it is not necessarily the case that the Gunners have moved a step closer to winning the race for Gundogan's signature as the 32-year-old has to appear on the club's released list even if there is still a chance he could stay as talks over a new deal are ongoing.
Furthermore, it's understood that City have made a belated push to keep Gundogan, and the midfielder is weighing up his future while on international duty with Germany this week amid interest from Barcelona too and the chances of him staying at the Etihad Stadium have risen since a longer deal was offered.
READ MORE: Arsenal face up to double transfer blow amid Ilkay Gundogan breakthrough and Declan Rice dilemma
Now, having helped Man City clinch their first-ever Champions League trophy win last weekend against Internazionale, it may not be too long before he reveals his next move having hinted at doing so once the domestic and European season has reached a conclusion.
"To be honest I don’t need these kind of days to feel appreciated and to feel special in this club," he said following the 2-1 win over Man United in the FA Cup final a fortnight ago."I know that, that is why I am here already seven years with all the ups and downs I’ve had so far. Nothing is decided yet so we’re gonna see what’s going to happen."
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