Barcelona become ‘increasingly interested’ in Manchester City star as salary boost emerges

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan could accept a lower salary in order to complete a move to Barcelona at the end of the season, a new report has suggested.

Officials within the Etihad Stadium continue to seek clarity on where Gundogan intends to be playing his football next season, with contract negotiations having taken place in recent weeks but failed to find a resolution.

There is an understanding in some quarters that Manchester City and Ilkay Gundogan’s representatives have some significant differences in how they view the German’s future, with the Premier League champions holding out for a short-term extension to his current deal.

As for the player, some believe that he could seek more long-term security, especially given the change to his personal life in recent weeks through the birth of his first son, and as such demand a new deal of a minimum two-years.

However, while talks with Manchester City will continue in the background, opportunities away from the Etihad Stadium will still certainly be entertained, with La Liga giants Barcelona and manager Xavi known to be long-term admirers of the midfielder.

According to a new report from The Athletic’s Pol Ballus on the situation, it is claimed that Barcelona are now ‘increasingly interested’ in signing Ilkay Gundogan upon the expiry of his current Manchester City contract – which runs until the end of this season.

It is further highlighted that some involved in negotiations over the Germany international’s future beyond the Etihad Stadium now believe that a move to Spain – and perhaps specifically the Camp Nou – is now ‘likely’.

Sources in Barcelona believe Gundogan could accept an offer at a lower salary than the one he currently earns at City if the Catalans were to offer him a deal over multiple years.

However, while it is highlighted that Ilkay Gundogan’s team preferred not to comment when approached by The Athletic, it is stressed that the City captain is ‘totally focused’ on the end of the season at the Etihad Stadium.

The 32 year-old is said to be ‘fully committed’ to the push for trophies, while he is also enjoying now being a father, after he and his wife welcomed the birth of their first son, Kai last week.

City themselves will also simultaneously work on possible replacements for Ilkay Gundogan, as they look to refresh their first-team playing squad for the next two years of Pep Guardiola’s tenure – and beyond.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham is Manchester City’s number one target in central midfield, and there has been a growing confidence from within the Etihad Stadium over the past few weeks that they could beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature.

How much the England international could cost is an entirely different matter, but could give City the advantage given their power in that regard, while Borussia Dortmund are expected to seek a fee in the region of £125 million.