Player not ‘ruling out’ signing new deal at Manchester City – Had ‘some meetings’ with another club

İlkay Gündoğan’s contract at Manchester City expires in June and his future at the club beyond this season remains uncertain.

Barcelona have been pushed forward as the main candidate to sign the midfielder for free in the summer.

Sport on Tuesday looks at the La Liga side’s need to strengthen their midfield, and their position over signing the Manchester City star.

Barca are searching the market for Sergio Busquets’ replacement but haven’t found a viable option so far. Xavi Hernández and the Catalan club’s leaders have realised their targets are unattainable and that has convinced them to offer an extension to Busquets.

Mateu Alemany, the Blaugrana sporting director, has always prioritised signing a player for free and this means offering them big wages, which will impact the club’s salary cap.

Gündoğan is named as an option for the Spanish giants. He is listening to offers, ‘without ruling out’ signing an extension at Manchester City. Barcelona have no doubts about the German’s qualities, profile and how well he could fit into their system.

It’s claimed Barcelona have held ‘some meetings’ with the ex-Borussia Dortmund man, but they aren’t willing to meet the salary requested by him.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Gündoğan will commit his future to Manchester City or make a move elsewhere as a free agent in the summer.

Xavi’s side, meanwhile, will be hoping Busquets agrees to sign an extension, so that they can aim to bring in a top-level midfielder in 2024 instead.