Man City expected to offer Ilkay Gundogan new deal after development – pundit
Frank McAvennie suspects Man City will offer Ilkay Gundogan a one-year contract extension.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider the former West Ham striker said Pep Guardiola will want to use Gundogan to help mentor the young players at the Etihad.
The 31-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Premier League champions.
The Germany international started for the Sky Blues in their 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday (13 August).
He netted the first goal for Pep Guardiola’s side before being replaced by Bernardo Silva for the final 25 minutes of the match.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News (14 August), Gundogan has been made Man City captain for this season following the departure of former skipper Fernandinho.
When asked by Football Insider if the development hinted that a contract offer was incoming, McAvennie said: “They’ll give him another year I would think.
“He might have a year option and they’ll just take that out. Man City is going to bring younger players in that’s for sure. I think they’ll get another year out of him.
“I think you need experience with the young players they’re bringing in, the likes of [Phil] Foden, [Jack] Grealish, you need experience around them. [Erling] Haaland is only 22 so you need experience around him too.
“I think Gundogan is the most talkative out of the team, he’s the only one I see shouting. I wouldn’t go against Pep, he sees the players train so he’ll know. Gundogan seems like he’s going to be the one who’s shouting and balling and that’s what the young players need.“
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