Ilkay Gundogan’s contract with Manchester City is set to expire this summer. The 32-year-old has won five Premier League titles since joining City back in 2016 but looks set to leave Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of next season on a free transfer.

Barcelona and Arsenal hold a strong interest in signing Gundogan whilst City are expected to renew their efforts to extend his contract. Mikel Arteta is driving the Gunners’ interest in the German as he looks to find a replacement for Granit Xhaka.

Guardiola stance

An update on Ilkay Gundogan’s future has now been provided by Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth which is not good reading for Arsenal.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, via The Boot Room, he said: “It would be an incredible way to bookmark his Manchester City career if, as captain, he wins the treble and lifts all three of those trophies. Where do you go from there?

“But Pep Guardiola’s thinking is this guy is priceless and someone who is a first-team player. Yes, he’s in his 30s, but that doesn’t matter.

“Look at the influence he has on the pitch and off the pitch as well. They desperately want him to stay.”

Man City contract stance

Manchester City are ready to hand Ilkay Gundogan a two-year deal to warn off interest from Barcelona, according to The Mirror.

The German’s deal is winding down and there had been fears he would quit the Etihad Stadium and seek pastures new. Negotiations had hit a wall with City seemingly unwilling to offer the midfielder more than a 12-month extension, but now a U-turn has been made by the champions.

They are ready to offer a one-year extension with the option of a further 12 months, which could tempt Gundogan into staying, although no decision has yet been made. The former Borussia Dortmund man remains an integral figure in the blue half of Manchester and would be a massive loss.

Arsenal hold ‘concrete interest’ in Gundogan

A report from The Athletic states that Arsenal are determined to sign Declan Rice and Mason Mount this summer, but may require an additional player in that department if Xhaka joins Bayer Leverkusen. The report adds that the Gunners hold a concrete interest in Gundogan and Arteta is the driving factor behind it, having worked with the 32-year-old German at the Etihad Stadium and identified him as the ideal replacement for Xhaka.

City are set to make fresh efforts to convince Gundogan to stay with Pep Guardiola’s team but the German has other possibilities to join the likes of Barcelona. As things stand, no agreements have been reached and the situation is still open.

Barcelona transfer stance

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is Barcelona’s number one target to reinforce their midfield for next season, according to Spanish news outlet Marca. The club’s technical department have been working on the operation for several weeks now, bearing in mind that the player’s contract expires on June 30.

The talks are said to be going very well, but there are still a couple of vital issues to be resolved. Due to the fact the German is available on a free transfer, Barcelona are legally allowed to discuss terms with him.

At the moment, there has been no formal offer for the player. However, there has been talk of interest and what Barcelona would be willing to pay him as a salary.

The club’s main objective in the initial talks was to find out Gundogan’s willingness to leave the Premier League and sign for Los Cules. The response was positive, the report said, and the German would be willing to take on a new challenge in his career, such as coming to La Liga.