Ilkay Gundogan favours a move to Barcelona amid transfer interest from Arsenal, it has been claimed.
The Manchester City captain, 32, is due to become a free agent this summer and has yet to reach an agreement with the Premier League champions over fresh terms. That has led to speculation that the Gunners - City's closest challengers in the title race - will attempt to poach the German international in the coming weeks.
City still haven't given up hope of convincing the midfield maestro to commit his future to the club and Gundogan confirmed last month that talks over his future are still ongoing.
That hasn't been enough to quell interest from Arsenal, though. Mikel Arteta is plotting to overhaul his midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and a move for Gundogan, who he worked with during his stint on Pep Guardiola 's coaching staff, would be regarded as a major coup for the Gunners.
However, a fresh report from Sport has claimed that Gundogan's preference would be a move to Barcelona, who made contact with the midfielder over a deal 'long before' his other suitors. Furthermore, it's claimed that Gundogan 'intends' to reside in Spain, rather than continuing in the Premier League.
Despite Gundogan's feelings on Barcelona, Arteta is hoping to convince the Manchester City ace to join him at the Emirates in a face-to-face meeting. The Spaniard remains hopeful of pairing Gundogan up with West Ham captain Declan Rice, who is the Gunners' primary summer transfer target.
Arteta has form for raiding the Etihad; Arsenal's title challenge this year was driven by Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, two players who were deemed surplus to requirements by Guardiola.
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It remains to be seen, though, if the Spaniard would adopt a similar stance with Gundogan, who has been influential in helping Manchester City over the line in the title race.
Recent reports have indicated that City are ready to bow to Gundogan's wishes and offer the veteran a two-year deal. Speaking earlier in the season, Guardiola underlined the midfielder's importance and hinted that City could struggle to sustain their success without his services.
The Manchester City boss said of Gundogan: “I remember one season when we won the second Premier League when Fernandinho was injured for a long time and he played as holding midfielder in games like against Burnley away with the long balls, second balls and… wow… he played.
“I said I had the feeling that, without him, we couldn't win the Premier League. He's so intelligent, Gundo; so clever and competitive. Under pressure he handles it without a problem. He's one of the best players I ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He's top, top class.”
