On Monday, Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City are “very interested” in keeping İlkay Gündoğan, and also stressed that he’s aware of Barcelona’s interest in his star.
With a deal at the Etihad expiring on June 30th, the midfielder hasn’t yet made a decision on his future. AS state he had verbally agreed to join the La Liga side three months ago.
However, the ‘situation has now changed remarkably’ because Manchester City have made firm efforts to keep the 32-year-old at the club.
It’s stated the Premier League winners have made a ‘significantly improved’ offer. They proposed a fixed two-year deal, with a salary double of what Barca offered him, plus bonuses.
In addition to this, Guardiola could be another factor to be taken into account when trying to convince the German. The saga isn’t going to last long as the report states the player plans to communicate his decision ‘this week’.
An ‘authoritative’ Barcelona source has told AS that it’s “difficult to compete against” the English champions financially.
Barca’s chances to sign Gündoğan for free have been further reduced with Arsenal and two clubs from Saudi Arabia also showing interest in him.
AS end their report by stating: ‘No one dares to say where Gündoğan will play. This tense wait has been a nightmare for Xavi Hernández who already saw, two weeks ago, how the possibility of signing Messi slipped through his fingers. Another similar blow with the rejection of the City player would be very difficult to assimilate.’
Barca being pessimistic over signing Gündoğan can only be good for Manchester City’s chances of agreeing a new deal with him.
