Manchester City make moves to secure future of Ilkay Gundogan ahead of European giants

Ilkay Gundogan is set to enter into talks with Manchester City over a new contract with the club, according to new reports.

The Germany international is into the final few months of his existing Etihad Stadium deal, and has attracted widespread interest from clubs across the continent with the opportunity to secure his services for free at the end of the season emerging.

However, given his importance to Pep Guardiola’s system at City and his continued high-level performances for the first-team squad, it has been long expected that the Premier League champions would seek to discuss a new deal before his contract expired.

Now, according to the information of The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Ilkay Gundogan is in talks with Manchester City over extending his contract at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of the ongoing campaign.

Just this week, reports in Spain had indicated that the City captain had agreed a deal with Barcelona. However, The Athletic states that while the Camp Nou club are among those to have made enquiries, there is no agreement in place.

From the viewpoint of Manchester City, Sam Lee reports that the Premier League giants’ hierarchy believe Pep Guardiola’s decision to renew his own contract back in December will help their chances of securing Gundogan’s future.

Ilkay Gundogan has openly admired the work of his current coach on multiple occasions in the past, stating in August 2022, “In terms of qualities, I’ve never seen anyone better. I probably won’t see anyone better than him.

“I just feel privileged to be able to work with him right now for the seventh year, to still learn from him, to be valued and appreciated by him. I really do believe that he was and is the most innovative managers that football has ever seen. I think he is just incredible, what he has achieved and what he is still able to achieve. It is just an honour for me.”

Manchester City will also look to iron out the desires of Bernardo Silva in the coming months, with there being a concern in various quarters that the Portugal international could look to seek an exit from the club for the third season running.

Julian Alvarez is another player on the verge of entering contract talks, despite only joining City last summer, following an exemplary run of form and improvement since making the switch from River Plate.