As Manchester City close in on a historic treble-winning campaign, the club look set to be further boosted by a contract extension for first-team captain Ilkay Gundogan.
The Germany international is rapidly closing in on the expiry of his existing Manchester City deal, which runs until the end of the current campaign, and given the player’s importance to the side over the past few weeks in particular, there has been great concern over his future.
Gundogan has once again played an integral role in City’s success, particular in front of goal, scoring decisive efforts against Everton in the Premier League, and most recently in the 2-1 Emirates FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
The midfielder’s brace over their bitter city rivals ensured that City claimed their second trophy of the ongoing season, moving them to within just one win of a historic treble – a feat only accomplished once before, by Manchester United in 1999.
Now, in a significant development concerning the future of Ilkay Gundogan, it has been suggested that some of his primary suitors in the transfer market could face disappointment in the coming weeks.
As per information included in a report by Charlie Wyett and Martin Blackburn of The Sun, Ilkay Gundogan is now set to agree a new deal with Manchester City to stay beyond the end of the ongoing season.
Reports elsewhere via Jack Gaughan of the Mail state that City have offered the 32 year-old a more structured deal in comparison to the likes of FC Barcelona, which is believed to be one year plus the option of a second.
As well as interest from Camp Nou ahead of the summer transfer window, Gundogan also has watchful eyes from Italy and Germany, with AC Milan particularly keen from the Serie A.
For now, talks concerning the future of Ilkay Gundogan are very likely to be placed on hold, as the entire organisation focusses on a date in the UEFA Champions League final, as Manchester City travel to Istanbul later this week to face off against Inter.
A 5-1 aggregate victory over the reigning Champions Real Madrid at the semi-final stage capped off a fantastic campaign in Europe’s premier club competition, defeating Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Sevilla en route to Turkey.
Manchester City take on Inter at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Saturday 10 June, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.
