Al Ittihad, a serious threat for Barca's Ilkay Gundogan hopes
There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is distorting the transfer market. The erruption of the Arab state, which wants to boost its league by showering footballers with millions, has changed the global panorama and it could affect Barça. Ilkay Gundogan, the player wanted to reinforce the midfield, has an important offer from Al Ittihad, the club that signed Benzema, and is considering his decision.
Man City's Gundogan did not want to reveal his future right after winning the Champions League. The City fans chanted his name and asked him to stay, something he had practically ruled out for weeks. At Barça they trusted in his word - the player has already given the OK verbally - but there is still nothing signed and many interferences going on.
One of them is Al Ittihad. If it is a choice made for money, there is no doubt that the German international will pack his bags to share the dressing room with Karim Benzema, but Barça are confident that the player wants to continue at the highest level and also the desire of his family to live in Spain for the next few years.
Barça's offer of three seasons and the negotiation process carried out in recent months should have an effect, but it is also true that the Blaugrana, at the moment, cannot guarantee his registration and that is why Gundogan has not yet made his final decision. City are insisting, Arabia are pressing and, in the meantime, Borussia Dortmund have offered him a long-term contract to come back and replace Bellingham with the aim of keeping him at the club when he retires.
Barça believe that now the Champions League is over, the picture will become clearer. Gundogan is a signing that Xavi likes, but at the club there are alternatives in case the operation does not work out, something that is not contemplated although they hope that everything will be signed now.
