Barcelona hold ‘serious interest’ in out of contract Manchester City midfielder

La Liga giants Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer.

The 32 year-old, who is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign, was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City in 2016.

Gundogan completed a £20 million move from Borussia Dortmund and has since gone on to make 278 appearances and win 11 trophies with the Sky Blues.

The German became club captain in the summer, following the departure of Fernandinho at the end of last season.

However, the long-term future of Gundogan remains unclear, with the midfielder out of contract at the end of the season.

As a result, the German international is attracting interest from elsewhere in Europe, with Barcelona reportedly one of the clubs being linked with the midfielder.

The La Liga giants are said to hold a “serious interest” in signing the Manchester City skipper on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph.

Barcelona have been linked with the German in the past, including last summer, when a possible move away from the Etihad Stadium was speculated.

The Catalan club have also been previously linked with Bernardo Silva, however early reports from Spain have suggested that Barcelona won’t return for the Portuguese international next summer.

Manchester City are also expected to strengthen their midfield during the summer transfer window, with Dortmund and England teen Jude Bellingham mooted.