Arsenal and Barcelona are reportedly interested in Ilkay Gundogan, who could depart Manchester City in the summer…
THE LOWDOWN: CITY ICON
The German international signed for Man City in the summer of 2016 from Borussia Dortmund for a fee in the region of £20m, and since then has gone on to become a City icon, propelling himself to be one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted and decorated lieutenants on the football pitch, being an example to everyone around him.
The 31-year-old has gone on to have an illustrious career with the Sky Blues. In 252 appearances for the club, the midfielder has scored 47 goals and has produced 33 assists.
He was Manchester City’s top goalscorer last season as he helped the team win their third Premier League title during his stint at the Etihad. He has won other domestic titles, including the FA Cup and multiple League Cups. He also came close to winning the Champions League last season, as they lost to Chelsea in the final.
However, Gundogan has found game time to be less regular this season due to a mixture of injuries and the good form of his teammates. As a result, he has started just 20 league times during the 2021/22 campaign.
And it has been reported that the former Borussia Dortmund star is poised to leave the club this summer to seek pastures new.
THE LATEST: CITY EXIT DOOR, ARSENAL INTEREST
Taking to Twitter, journalist Mike Keegan shared the shocking news that the 31-year-old is set to follow Fernandinho out the Etihad exit door this summer:
“EXCLUSIVE: Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave Manchester City this summer. Club say no talks until season end but understand the position made clear. Situation with Guardiola first signing ‘very amicable’. Player took jet to Madrid this morning.”
Also, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona and Arsenal could be interested in German midfielder:
“Talks ongoing between Gündoğan agents and Manchester City board. No discussion about new deal – just about his future with serious chances to leave the club. #MCFC His trip to Madrid was not linked to his future. Barça, German clubs and Arsenal [depends on UCL] interested.”
THE VERDICT: QUALITY NEEDED
The £31.5m-rated experienced playmaker epitomises everything Pep Guardiola wants from a midfielder. He has bags of creativity, tenacity and the ability to score plenty of goals. The German has proved his worth over six seasons as he became one of the most important players in the Catalan’s system.
Described by teammate Joao Cancelo as a “phenomenal player”, the German’s presence and experience will be heavily missed in Pep Guardiola’s midfield, but he’d also be an incredible gain to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
If Monday’s defeat at Newcastle showed the Arsenal boss anything, is that he desperately needs a composed, calm and metronomic figure-head in his midfield. A player who can dictate proceedings in the midst of grueling pressure but more importantly direct and calm others around him.
The 56-time German international fits the bill in abundance and is the kind of quality the Gunners need in midfield.
The Gelsenkirchen-born midfielder is not a tough tackler, but is excellent in controlling play successfully completing 95% of his passes in his own half, holds a 91% accuracy per game whilst also registering six big chances created and registering 1.5 key passes per game (SofaScore). This suggests that he is not only a dictator of possession but an incredible influencer with it in the final third.
The £140k-per-week star would seamlessly fit into Arteta’s plans with a similar style of play.
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