A week ago the football director of FC Barcelona, Mateu Alemany, met electronically with Ilhan Gündogan, Ilkay Gündogan's agent and uncle. The Manchester City footballer is Xavi's favorite to occupy the interior position. The coach wants his services to free Pedri from having to play all the games. Beyond the talent of the captain of the team that has been crowned European champion, Barcelona sees a market opportunity in the German footballer since he would end up free.
After the conversation, Gundogan decided to give himself a few days to reflect to make a decision. And the Barcelona club expects to know its verdict at the end of this week. The sensations are relatively optimistic since Barcelona has come up with a strong competitor. Pep Guardiola's City is not willing to let its captain escape. What's more, he wants to renew it for two seasons. “It is difficult to compete with Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain. But we are not throwing in the towel ”, they transfer from the offices of the sports city.
Barcelona is not in a position to make great financial offers due to its exceeded salary mass. They must continue lowering at least 150 million euros and Gündogan knows the difficulties. On the other hand, on the other side of the board, Manchester City navigates in completely opposite conditions with a high budget and with the memory of the very recent treble. “I don't know Gundogan's intentions. These days we have been very entertained celebrating”, slipped Pep Guardiola who traveled to Barcelona to start his family vacation. A great lover of golf, Guardiola sponsored the fifth edition of the Legends Trophy, the golf tournament played exclusively by former athletes at the Empordà Golf Club. The benefits go to the Fundació Guardiola Sala, which will allocate them to different solidarity projects.
Although he was unable to play the first matchday of the tournament due to back discomfort, Guardiola reviewed current football news. “As far as I know, we are still fighting to keep Gundogan with us. Barça wants him and I know that Xavi has called him many times, ”he slipped with an ironic smile. In total there are three conversations that Xavi has had with the German footballer. “We love him because he has been very important. And if he decides to sign for Barcelona, well, I will tell him that he will have a great time and I will admit to Laporta that he has made a great signing, ”Guardiola reflected, who on Sunday night was having dinner with the Barcelona president at the Botafumeiro restaurant.
“We always see each other once a year. I had met my son Màrius and Xavier Sala Martín. The president joined”, said Guardiola who defended the management of the highest president. “The previous managers spent 400 million on three players. Let each one take responsibility for it. Laporta is making a titanic effort, ”he reflected before ruling out, one more day, returning to the Barcelona bench. He did not delve into whether he would do it in another position.
“Xavi has won the League. He needs more time. And when he decides that he has finished his stage, Busquets or another will come. Mine as a coach is over, ”he insisted. The Santpedor coach also denied the version of Xavi Hernández who explained that City got in the way of Barcelona to be able to sign Cancelo in the last winter market. “Xavi was misinformed. The reality is that we decided that Cancelo had to leave. We don't care where you go. As if he goes to United, which is our greatest rival. There was no offer from Barça for him. Yes from Bayern”, Guardiola explained with a serious face.
Yes, there is an offer for Gundogan, who from the concentration of the German team, spoke of his future. He continues to defoliate the daisy between Barça and City. “I haven't decided yet. Barcelona is a beautiful city ”, he declared. His final decision will come at the end of the week.
