According to an interesting piece of news reported by SPORT, Ilkay Gundogan apparently wants a Barcelona move, and was also telling others the same after the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan.
However, Barça have not sent a formal offer Gundogan’s way, which makes his decision difficult. According to him, continuing at Manchester City or joining Al-Hilal are likelier destinations for him right now.
In the past, it has been reported several times that Barcelona had already sent a three-year offer Gundogan’s way, and the player is tempted to agree, especially given Man City’s renewal offer stills stands as a one year, with the option to extend further for another.
Some reports have also stated that Barcelona are confident about registering Gundogan in time for La Liga, and have already made that promise to his agent. They are expecting an approval soon.
However, should the move stand still, Barcelona have lined up a few alternatives. Villarreal midfield ace Alex Baena has been linked with a move.
His contract, on the contrary, ends in 2028, which means the Catalans will have to shell out upwards of his old release clause, which stood at €35 million.
Elsewhere, they have also been offered the chance to sign Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, but that move seems rather far-fetched as it stands. The Frenchman is a free agent, for what it’s worth, but probably not the profile Xavi is looking for.
Gundogan has asked Barcelona for more time to decide his future, but both parties will have to move quickly if they want the want the transfer to go through in time for the pre-season tour in the United States of America.