Revealed: Pep Guardiola ‘adamant’ Ilkay Gundogan to stay at Man City
Pep Guardiola is pushing Man City to keep Ilkay Gundogan at the club next season, sources have told Football Insider.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with the Premier League champions this summer and could leave as a free agent if no new deal is agreed.
It is understood that City are in talks with the German international about extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola playing a key part in negotiations.
Sources have informed Football Insider that Guardiola is “adamant” that Gundogan stays at Man City beyond the summer.
The Spanish coach is a huge admirer of Gundogan‘s leadership and experience in the City dressing room, and he is personally pushing the club’s board to get a deal over the line.
But City face competition from Barcelona, with Football Insider sources revealing in March that the Spanish giants are pushing to sign Gundogan as a free agent.
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first signing as City manager after a £21million deal was agreed with Borussia Dortmund for the central midfielder in 2016.
He has gone on to make 299 appearances during his seven years at the club, scoring 56 goals and assisting 39 times across all competitions.
Should Gundogan choose to depart City this summer, he’ll leave having helped the club to win four Premier League titles, four League Cup trophies and one FA Cup.
He was voted by his teammates to become the club captain for the 2022/23 campaign, and he has contributed seven goals and six assists this season as City once again pursue the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
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