Pep Guardiola puts foot down with transfer demand for current Manchester City star

While Manchester City are yet to agree new terms with Ilkay Gundogan, manager Pep Guardiola is seemingly clashing with officials over the stance taken on the club captain.

The Germany international is on the verge of guiding his teammates to a third successive Premier League title, and their fifth in six years under the coaching of manager Pep Guardiola, in what would be a title-lift in his first campaign as club captain.

Ilkay Gundogan has been in exceptional form over the course of the past few weeks, further driving Manchester City’s pursuit of yet another top-flight crown with contributions in the goalscoring department.

However, doubt continues to circle around the future of the central midfielder, with his current Manchester City deal set to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign, and club officials showing no sign of meeting his contractual demands.

City boss Pep Guardiola is ‘adamant’ about keeping the 32 year-old in Manchester beyond this season, according to a recent report from Football Insider, and is pushing for the club to extend his captain’s contract.

While there has been a claim in some quarters that City are struggling to reach an agreement on terms with the player’s representatives, ESPN report that the club have ‘not given up hope,’ and that Ilkay Gundogan has certainly not communicated any desire to leave.

Manchester City could invite problems should Ilkay Gundogan be allowed to leave for free this summer, considering doubts over Bernardo Silva’s future are ongoing. The English side also trail in the race to sign Jude Bellingham, who is edging closer to Real Madrid.

Gundogan recently drew the ire of his manager when he missed a penalty against Leeds United a fortnight ago, which also prevented him from scoring his first senior career hat-trick. Pep Guardiola was also noticeably furious with Erling Haaland for giving up the spot-kick and openly expressed his frustrations.

However, Ilkay Gundogan has more than made up for missing the net by once again taking charge of leading Manchester City to important victories in the season’s final weeks.

His recent goals and assists against Leeds and Everton have earned City a comfortable four-point lead at the top of the table, moving them to within one win of winning the Premier League title.

City recognise Gundogan’s importance in the squad as a reliable impact player in crucial game weeks towards the end of the season. However, the defending champions have to act fast as Barcelona and an unnamed Italian side closely monitor the possibility of signing the player.