Manchester City star İlkay Gündoğan has a contract expiring on June 30th and there’s still no clarity on where he’ll play next season.
Barcelona are keen on signing the midfielder for free in the summer. His focus is on the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the Champions League final against Inter Milan later this month.
Mundo Deportivo have published a detailed interview with Xavi Hernández. The journalist told the manager that they have been told the Manchester City player wants to come to the Camp Nou.
When asked Xavi directly if he has the same information or if he can provide more details about the 32-year-old, he said: “Look, the only thing I can share is that any footballer we are going to sign and that we have the chance to talk to wants to come.”
“They all want to come to Barca. All. I have not seen any player tell us: ‘No, I prefer to go to another club.’ None.”
“Since I’ve been at Barcelona and I’ve talked to a lot of footballers, as soon as I’ve called them and I’ve talked to them or I’ve seen them, the feeling is that they say: ‘How wonderful that Barca is coming’.”
“So you have to promote the Barca brand and then listen to the coach. Because when you’re a player you want to go hand in hand with the coach. The footballer wants to hear if he is going to be important, if he is going to play, in what position…”
“And when I talk to them, I get the feeling that everyone wants to come to Barca and they also tell you so. So this Barca brand must be taken advantage of.”
Xavi’s comments would insist he’s already held talks with the former Borussia Dortmund man. However, the Catalan club boss has refused to answer on this topic when specifically asked if he has already had discussions with Gündoğan.
“No, I can’t make any advances, I can’t make any advances,” Xavi explained.
Earlier reports have explained that Pep Guardiola is keen to retain the star at Manchester City next season. On May 25th, Mundo Deportivo stated the Citizens have agreed to meet the demands set by Gündoğan to sign an extension at the Etihad.
The German’s decision on his future is now awaited by both Manchester City and Barcelona.
