FC Barcelona have convinced a leading Manchester City star to sign a three-year contract with them according to SPORT.
With his deal at the Etihad set to expire in exactly four weeks’ time, Ilkay Gundogan has been heavily linked with a summer switch to the Blaugrana since early 2023.
In recent weeks, British outlets such as The Times reported that City have attempted to derail the potential move by offering the German international a bumper two-year deal – double the length of the arrangement they had previously tabled – which would ultimately see him “snub” the Catalans.
At the start of June, though, and just over a week off Gundogan playing his second Champions League final for City against Inter Milan in Istanbul, SPORT reports that Gundogan is “already very close to signing for Barca” who have “convinced” him to join them.
This comes despite renewed efforts from the Mancunians to keep Gundogan around, plus interest from Premier League runners-up Arsenal, as the 32-year-old wants to end his time in the English top flight and experience something new in Spain.
Gundogan has already given his ‘OK’ to the operation according to the Catalan daily newspaper, and something that has been fundamental in getting the deal over the line is Barca offering him a three-year tenure at Camp Nou after originally providing the chance to compete in La Liga for just two seasons.
This was because of Gundogan’s advanced years, yet the playmaker’s performances in a campaign where City can complete the first treble by an English team since Manchester United in 1999 have convinced observers he is still able to operate at the highest level.
Furthermore, Barca coach Xavi Hernandez likes Gundogan for his versatility in that he can operate as an interior midfielder or pivot – a position which will become vacant given the impending departure of captain Sergio Busquets.
Though nothing has been signed yet, Gundogan is set to announce a decision on his future after the match against Inter Milan and becomes a free agent less than three weeks later.
