Arsenal are pushing to sign Manchester City skipper Ilkay Gundogan, making it three signings from the champions in just 12 months
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsenal will be able to bring Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan to the Emirates Stadium – on one condition.
The Gunners are pushing now to sign the German international who is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree on an extension to his time at the Etihad Stadium. Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing at Manchester City back in 2016 when he moved for around £20 million and has won five titles.
There had been talk of Barcelona being interested in his services, per Forbes, earlier this season. It seems as if it could be a three-way fight between La Masia graduates-turned-coaches, as Guardiola attempts to convince his skipper to stay amid interest from Xavi and Mikel Arteta.
Guardiola and Arteta both want Ilkay Gundogan in their sides (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Now, Football Transfers have made the claim that Arsenal could have an 'in' to bring Gundogan to the Emirates Stadium if they can offer one detail in his new contract that City can't.
The 32-year-old is believed to want a three-year deal, with City reportedly wanting to offer a kind of rolling contract that enables them to extend their skipper once more on their terms. If there is no compromise between the two parties, Arsenal could swoop in.
Incidentally, the Times are reporting that Gundogan is on the brink of rejecting an Etihad exit altogether, with City offering a firm option of two years. This deal is not yet penned, however, withThe Mail insisting that Arteta is "driving" the idea of a deal for the midfielder.
With the Gunners poised to lose Granit Xhaka this summer, Gundogan offers a similar level of experience and leadership in Arsenal's squad, along with his obvious midfield qualities.
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Gundogan is on the radar as a potential Xhaka replacement (Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Arsenal have signed two Manchester City players in the last year, in Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
