Arsenal have reportedly emerged as shock contenders for the signature of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who seems destined to change clubs in the summer.
According to Diario Sport, Mikel Arteta’s side are interested in signing the 32-year-old, who will become a free agent when his contract with City expires at the end of the current season.
The Gunners have benefited from recruiting a few players from Man City in recent years, starting with Arteta’s appointment as their manager in 2019, which has proven to be a successful decision.
Then, last summer, Arsenal signed two players from City: Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who have since become regular starters for them.
Gundogan has been a key player for Manchester City since his arrival in 2016, playing a vital role in their numerous Premier League title wins and Carabao and FA Cups.
However, it appears that the midfielder is “close to breaking off” negotiations with City over a contract extension, reportedly due to his wage demands.
This has led to interest from several clubs, including Barcelona, who are among his main admirers. However, Sport claims that it might be hard for the La Liga giants to meet Gundogan’s wage demands.
Barcelona boss Xavi has 'spoken personally' to Ilkay Gundogan and more Man City transfer rumours: https://t.co/PIdVX18zqn
— MCFC News (@mcfcnewsapp) March 16, 2023
Arsenal, on the other hand, could be an attractive destination for Gundogan, as they are currently above Manchester City in the Premier League table and have been improving under Arteta’s leadership.
If the Gunners manage to sign Gundogan, it would be a significant coup for them and a statement of intent ahead of the next season.
Gundogan is a versatile midfielder who can play in various positions, including as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, or attacking midfielder. He is known for his excellent passing ability, vision, and intelligent movement off the ball.
He would add quality and experience to Arsenal’s midfield and could help them in their quest to compete for major honours, especially if they can hold off the pressure from Man City and land their first Premier League title since 2004.
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