Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Manchester City will offer Ilkay Gundogan a new contract, while Barcelona are confident of signing him.
Gundogan has been a crucial performer for City the entire time he has been there. Indeed, he’s now racked up more than 300 appearances for the Citizens.
He’s returned fantastic goalscoring numbers for a midfielder, notching 58 times, alongside 40 assists.
Two seasons ago, the German bagged 13 goals in the Premier League – his most in a campaign. The need for goals has been lessened this season, with Erling Haaland having bagged a mesmerising 52 times in all competitions.
However, Gundogan has still scored eight goals in the league. Four of those and an assist came in the space of two games before City’s last fixture with Chelsea, against Leeds United and Everton.
The midfielder is also one of the leaders in the City side. He’s the club captain, and after having led them to a Premier League title, he has the opportunity to follow that up with both the FA Cup and Champions League.
To captain a side to a treble would be a phenomenal achievement for any player.
Clearly, Gundogan is a very valuable asset. However, his contract is expires at the end of the season, and as yet there’s been no sign that he’ll renew it.
Romano confirms contract offer
That could well benefit Barcelona. The La Liga champions have been following Gundogan this season, and a recent report stated they are ‘absolutely confident’ that he’ll join them.
That’s alongside a suggestion that the midfielder has committed to a ‘verbal agreement’ with the club. However, nothing is cemented yet, and City might be able to stifle Barca’s confidence.
Indeed, transfer insider Romano has stated City ‘will offer’ Gundogan a new deal.
The new terms would see him remain at the Etihad until June 2024, along with an option to extend his stay for a further season beyond that.
Romano also states that talks ‘will continue’ in the coming days. With that being said, it would seem Gundogan is not fully convinced by the idea of joining Barcelona yet.
If he certain he was heading to Camp Nou, he’d surely not undergo talks with City. As such, the Etihad outfit will hold onto hope that their star will remain at the club.
Gundogan can become ultra legend
If Gundogan is to win the treble with City this season, or even the Champions League alongside the league title, there wouldn’t be anything left to win.
Indeed, he’s already won the FA Cup, along with five Premier League trophies. He might see it as a good opportunity to leave his City career there, departing as a legend, in order to try his hand at a stint at Barcelona.
City fans would likely not begrudge him if he was to do so. However, they’ll want him to stay and fully cement his legacy as a legend.
Given he’s 32, he could still have a few good seasons left in him – he’s certainly seemed to get better as the season has gone on during this campaign. If he was to see out the rest of his career at City, he’d surely become one of the most legendary figures in their history.
