Signing Ilkay Gundogan is one of the major objectives for FC Barcelona in the upcoming summer transfer window. However, the operation to sign him is not expected to be a straightforward affair, and has already taken a number of twists and turns.
Gundogan’s current contract with Manchester City ends at the conclusion of this season, and the German international is yet to put pen to a new contract. FC Barcelona and Arsenal are heavily interested in the player, while Manchester City is also doing their best to get the player extend his association with the Citizens.
Recent reports mentioned that the player wants to experience playing in La Liga for once before he hangs up his boots, which made FC Barcelona the favorite to get the player’s signature. The player was reported to be quite close to joining the Blaugranes, and accepting a three-year contract from Barcelona.
However, nothing is certain as of now, and Manchester City are also hopeful that the player will respond positively to their efforts to extend his contract. At least this was the response of the former Barcelona and current Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola to a journalist’s question.
According to Fabrizio Romano, when asked whether the new proposal offered to Gundogan will resolve his contract situation, the Catalan coach responded that he wished and hoped this would be the case.
Gundogan’s transfer saga is expected to go on for a while more as the player still has not finished his season with Manchester City, and is fighting for another major trophy after already winning the Premier League title and the FA Cup with Manchester City. The player scored two goals in the FA Cup final today, which would have made him, even more, dearer to the Manchester club.
The last game that Gundogan has to play before the season ends is the Champions League final against Inter Milan. This is one trophy that the German has not been able to win in his career, and he will make a decision regarding his future only after giving his all in this all-important final. Meanwhile, the interested clubs, including Barcelona, will have to wait patiently for the player’s final decision.
