Ilkay Gündogan keen on move to Barcelona after they express interest
By James Fudge
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gündogan has attracted the interest of Barcelona in recent days as they look to replace one of their star men.
The Catalan giants have reportedly earmarked the midfielder as the ideal replacement for Andres Iniesta, who has joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe after making 674 appearances for the Spanish side.
Gündogan and Iniesta are seen as similar players, with the German possessing the technical ability and experience to fit in with the three-man midfield that supports the front three, which Ernesto Valverde favours. Seen as possessing the right profile as both clubs play similar styles and share football ideologies developed by Pep Guardiola.
The midfielder is currently at the World Cup with Germany and sources close to the national team are reporting that he is keen on the move to the Spanish champions. There will be greater first-team opportunities at the Camp Nou as he sees himself ahead of Paulinho, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes.
According to German tabloid Bild, there has been contact with the player’s camp, with any representatives of the player yet to deny this information.
City is now likely to press forward with handing Gündogan new contract, which will see him beyond his current deal of 2020. Should the attraction turn heads, a fee of around £50 million plus is likely to acquire the services of the star, with the City hierarchy only willing to accept a substantial offer due to the player’s first team commitments.
A prime target from when Guardiola walked into the Etihad Stadium after it became clear that Borussia Dortmund was not going to sell to Bayern Munich again. He became Pep’s first signing in August 2016 after a £20million bid was accepted.
His first season started well but was rocked by a potential career ending injury after he tore his cruciate ligaments in his right knee against Watford in December. The teammates showed their support with the former Dortmund midfielder not able to return until the following season.
Comfortable in possession, he has been relied on when City are controlling the game but failing to open tight defences. Often paired with Kevin De Bruyne or David Silva, the German will often make late runs into the box to contribute to finding the breakthrough that City need.
Should he depart, many City fans will see a large hole left by the quite German .