Man City news: Pep Guardiola could now block Ilkay Gundogan exit after update – expert
Alex McLeish has suggested Pep Guardiola may block Ilkay Gundogan from leaving Man City this summer.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Spanish boss would want to keep the 31-year-old among the squad for his quality and experience.
As reported by the Daily Mail last week (16 May), City have given Gundogan the green light to leave this summer, with a year left on his contract.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano (17 May), the Germany international has held crunch talks over his future at the Etihad Stadium, but not about a new contract.
The likes of Arsenal and Barcelona are reportedly interested in his capture should he be allowed to leave.
However, McLeish suggested Guardiola may not want to lose the midfielder after playing a key role in the club’s title-winning campaign.
Discussing a possible new contract at City, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “There’s a place for these guys, even if they’re not playing every single week. If you’re such a wealthy club, like Man City, you can afford to keep a big and strong squad.
“There’s nothing like experience and Gundogan is not an old man yet. He’s probably at the peak of the career now.”
“You would think if it’s his swansong, it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.
“But, again, the other side of it is Pep knows he can do things in big games. Liverpool have got a couple of older players who come on and perform to extremely high levels. They’re always on the back burner.”
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first signing at City back in 2016.
He has made 253 appearances for the club, 43 of which came this season.
In other news, finance guru claims Man City set for “sensational £153million windfall.