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Manchester City ready to tie down key midfielder to new contract amid Barcelona and Arsenal interest

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Manchester City are ready to meet Ilkay Gundogan’s demands over a new contract and secure the German’s future at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.

There has been uncertainty over the Manchester City skipper’s future in the north-west amid notable interest from Barcelona in recent months, with Gundogan’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City in 2016 and has been a crucial outlet for the Premier League champions under the Catalan, taking over the armband when Fernandinho departed the club last summer.

City were crowned champions of England for the third season running when second-placed Arsenal fell to a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, as the Blues lifted the trophy the following day after beating Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

As per a report by Martin Blackburn of The Sun, there was a feeling that had Gundogan been on the verge of bidding farewell to the Manchester City faithful in the summer, Guardiola would have put the Germany international on in the closing stages against Chelsea.

Arsenal have lately entered the race for Ilkay Gundogan’s signature and former Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta is driving the Gunners’ pursuit of the ex-Borussia Dortmund star.

It is understood Manchester City were previously only willing to offer Gundogan a one-year contract extension, which would have kept him at the club till 2024.

However, the midfielder has held out for an improved contract offer from the seven-time Premier League champions and one that would match the terms proposed by Barcelona, who have put a two-year deal on the table.

Further interest from north London and Gundogan’s stellar form in City’s season run-in have seen a rise in hopes of a compromise that will keep the club captain at the Etihad Stadium.

The Evening Standard report that Gundogan has delayed a decision on his future until after the Champions League final, where Manchester City take on Inter after seeing off Real Madrid in the semi-final.

It remains to be seen what the coming weeks hold for Gundogan but it is expected that the midfielder will put pen to paper and extend his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva could still part ways with City in the summer amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and officials at the Etihad Stadium would be keen to avoid losing two of Guardiola’s most trusted midfielders in the same window.

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