Agbonlahor shares 'dangerous' Man City warning after 'costly' Ilkay Gundogan exit news
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Man City could lose ground to rivals in the fight for trophies if they allow Ilkay Gundogan to leave the club this summer.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Citizens must beat Liverpool in the race for Jude Bellingham to replace the 32-year-old - or risk a changing of the guard in the Premier League elite.
Sources told this site on Wednesday (29 March) that Gundogan is ready to quit Man City this summer and join Barcelona on a free transfer.
He is ready for a new challenge and is excited at the prospect of playing abroad again after seven years in England.
The Man City captain has made 31 starts this season amid 37 appearances in total in the 2022-23 campaign, notching four goals and four assists.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (28 March) that Bundesliga duo Bellingham and Florian Wirtz are being considered by Man City as potential replacements for Gundogan.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “This is costly.
“Man City are in a really dangerous place now. Bernardo Silva is making noises about leaving again, Gundogan seems like he is going this summer – it’s a massive core of their side.
“They could be left with Rodri and De Bruyne as solid midfield options.
“That’s why a deal for Bellingham makes sense. I’m sure Man City can overpower Liverpool and get him.
“But if they can’t, and he goes to Liverpool – that’s even more ground lost in the fight for trophies.
“They could end this season without a trophy for the first time in a long time. Pep will be desperate not to let that happen.”