Arteta pushing for Arsenal to beat Barça to signing of Ilkay Gundogan
The midfielder's contract is up with Man City in June and there is no shortage of interest
Ilkay Gündogan's future remains uncertain. The Manchester City midfielder, captain and reigning Premier League champion, is likely to leave the club on 30 June as a free agent. And Arsenal are ready to go all out for his signature. Mikel Arteta is pushing hard for the deal.
According to the latest report from 'The Athletic', the Gunners are very interested in the player and their manager is behind the rush for his signing. The pair worked together in Arteta's previous spell at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola's assistand. The coach views him as the perfect replacement for Granit Xhaka, who has one foot and a half out of the club.
Arsenal want to close deal
If confirmed, Gündogan would be the third player to leave City for Arsenal after Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus. Arteta, who would be delighted with the deal, has publicly acknowledged that they must 'nail down' their sporting strategy in the next transfer window to prepare for their upcoming Champions League return.
The German midfielder, who lifted the Premier League title with Manchester City on Sunday, left a cryptic message about his future during the celebrations. "It has been a season I will never forget. There are two more finals (FA Cup and Champions League) to go, we're looking forward to it. My arms are ready to lift two more titles," he told Manchester City's website after the ceremony.
Barça following situation
At Camp Nou, they are still looking very favourably on the signing of Gundogan, too. The Catalan giants presented him with a proposal for two seasons with an optional third and are still relying on his word to complete the transfer. Gündogan gave the OK after talking to Xavi and the club, but nothing has been signed yet.
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Gündogan, uno de los objetivos de la directiva del FC Barcelona
| SPORTMeanwhile, Manchester City are not throwing in the towel. The first offer of a one-year renewal was rejected, but with a second offer of two years with a similar salary, there are now doubts. Everything suggests that the player will not make a final decision on his future until the Champions League final on 10 June.
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