Ilkay Gundogan could prove to be an excellent signing for Arsenal or Barcelona this summer with it looking possible he does not sign a new Manchester City contract. The German international sees his current deal expire this summer with an extension yet to be agreed. However, his role in City's Premier League title run-in looks to have given Pep Guardiola a clear indication of why he must stay.
In the final nine games of the league season, Gundogan scored five goals, including braces against Leeds and Everton. According to The Mirror, Man City are now ready to hand Gundogan a new two-year deal to ward off interest from Barcelona and Arsenal.
A move for Gundogan by Mikel Arteta makes perfect sense given their past relationship built at Etihad Stadium and also with the impending departure of a key Arsenal midfielder. As football.london reported earlier in the month, Granit Xhaka is an advanced talks to complete a summer move to Bayer Leverkusen in a £13million deal.
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Although Gundogan does not quite fit the profile of Arsenal's other midfield targets, which includes Declan Rice (22), Mason Mount (24) and Mohammed Kudus (22), he would be a superb addition. On Sunday, the 32-year-old lifted his fifth Premier League trophy and if the Gunners make the move, he could give them added experience in high-pressure moments.
However, the north Londoners may find themselves at the back of the queue regarding Gundogan's priorities. Of course, given the success of his spell in Manchester, staying with Guardiola is expected to be his main desire, although if an exit is sanctioned, Gundogan prefers Barcelona over Arsenal, according to reports in Spain.
As per Sport, Gundogan hopes for a move to Barcelona, who made contact with the midfielder over a deal 'long before' his other suitors. In the report, it has also been claimed that Gundogan 'intends' to reside in Spain, rather than continuing in the Premier League.
Gundogan's stance on a move to Arsenal is not a complete blow for Arteta and Edu though, given their vast midfield transfer short list. Alongside Rice, Mount and Kudus both Moises Caicedo and Martin Zubimendi are also other options this summer in the engine room, with West Ham captain Rice still as the top target, football.london understands.
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