Ilkay Gündogan is one step away from signing for FC Barcelona. Despite the succulent renewal offer that Guardiola's Manchester City offered him and the interest from clubs like Arsenal or PSG, Barça are optimistic and trust that the signing of the midfielder will close this week. He would sign for the next two seasons and an optional one. The same sources assure that there is room to register the 32-year-old player who is concentrated with the German team. The football director Mateu Alemany went to Munich to close the operation as shown in the images offered by the Twich Jijantes channel.
A week ago Mateu Alemany himself met electronically with Ilhan Gündogan, Ilkay Gündogan's agent and uncle. The still 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 and he let him know in several telephone conversations.
Beyond the talent of the team captain who will turn 33 in October and who has been crowned European champion, Barcelona sees a market opportunity in the German footballer since his contract with Guardiola's team ends on June 30 and he would end up free. And Gundogan, after having won everything, did not see a bad change of scenery. "Barcelona is a very beautiful city," he replied when asked about his future on Monday.
Given the growing interest of the German to join Barcelona, City, which offered him another year on his contract, raised his bet and put a link on the table for two seasons. "Barça loves Gundogan. I know that Xavi has called him several times. But so have we," Pep Guardiola slipped on Monday, who traveled to Barcelona to start his family vacation and who sponsored the Legends Trophy, the golf tournament played exclusively by former athletes
After the conversation with Xavi and also after the telematic meeting with the club, Gündogan decided to give himself a few days to reflect to make a decision. The Barcelona club expected to know his verdict at the end of this week. If nothing goes wrong, it will be the second signing of the season after the incorporation of Iñigo Martínez, a central defender from Athletic Club, who has not yet been officially announced. For its part, Manchester City has already started contacts to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacić.
