La Liga club make Manchester City midfielder ‘priority’ for summer transfer window 

Barcelona have reportedly made the signing of Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan a ‘priority’ for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Gundogan, who became Manchester City captain following the departure of veteran midfielder Fernandinho, is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign.

The 32 year-old was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City, but is now being linked with a possible free transfer to the Catalan’s former club, Barcelona.

Gundogan has made 290 appearances and won 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles, since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.

The German played a key role in the Blues’ Premier League title triumph last season, scoring two late goals against Aston Villa in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium in May.

The midfielder is currently able to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club outside of the Premier League and is drawing significant interest from La Liga leaders Barcelona, who are claimed to have made signing the German a ‘priority’ for the summer transfer window.

Numerous City players have swapped East Manchester for Catalonia in recent years, with Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres all moving to the Camp Nou.

Bernardo Silva was also heavily linked with a possible transfer to Barcelona last summer, while defender Aymeric Laporte has also been subject to transfer speculation from the Spanish heavyweights.

Gundogan could still sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium, however the 32 year-old is reportedly open to joining Barcelona on a low salary this summer, according to journalist Javi Miguel.

Such is Barcelona’s desire to sign the City captain, Barcelona manager Xavi is claimed to have held ‘positive’ talks with the German midfielder.

Gundogan has featured in 37 matches for City so far this season and scored during the Blues’ 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium.

The 32 year-old still has the chance to potentially lift three trophies with the Sky Blues this season, with City still fighting to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

City will be hoping to secure their place in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, when Vincent Kompany’s high-flying Burnley visit the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals of the competition.