Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to keep FA Cup hero Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan, the man whose brace won the Blues the Premier League title on the final day of last season, has stepped up again in recent months. He scored braces in two Premier League games in May and then bagged another in the FA Cup final to help defeat Manchester United 2-1. However, the Champions League final in Istanbul could be his last game as his contract expires at the end of the month.
City's midfield talisman is not short of offers and Barcelona are looking to sign him on a free transfer, despite Pep Guardiola making it clear to the board he wanted them to do whatever it takes to keep his first signing. There has been recent movement from sporting director Txiki Begiristain to put a deal on the table for Gundogan longer than a year that could tempt him to stay.
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While Guardiola cannot say what will happen at the end of the season, the manager has hope that the improved offer for Gundogan can convince him to extend his time at the club. As the German showed against United, he remains a highly valuable asset for City.
"He knows what I think. Maybe some of you know we are neighbours, we live on the same floor for many years," he said.
"He's a close friend of mine and an exceptional player but hopefully we can finish in a good way. Txiki is working and hopefully we can do it.
"The season he has done is exceptional and we cannot forget Aston Villa from last season either. He is so important in many reasons."
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