According to reports, Ilkay Gundogan, an Arsenal target, is expected to leave Manchester City this summer. At the conclusion of the current season, the Citizens will be out of contract for the veteran midfielder. According to SPORT, City believes that Gundogan, 32, has made up his mind and intends to leave the Etihad.
A one-year extension for the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder would be ideal for Pep Guardiola’s team. However, they believe the former German international will travel to Barcelona. Gundogan has been mentioned as a possible transfer target for the Blaugrana as they consider summer free-agent signings.
Xavi’s financial constraints have forced them to enter the free agency market. In the meantime, Arsenal may be interested in signing Gundogan in order to reunite him with his former City teammates Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko. When he worked as an assistant at the Etihad Stadium for three seasons, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta also coached him.
This season, Gundogan has been in excellent form, assisting on four goals and scoring four goals in 37 games across all competitions. Even though he is nearing the end of his career, the midfielder is still making an impact. However, Gundogan may be interested in joining either Barca or Arsenal, where he will likely play an even more significant role.
The Heavy armament specialists could do with additional choices in holding midfield. In January, Jorginho arrived from Chelsea. The first choice is Thomas Partey, but he frequently misses chunks of a season. In the meantime, the Blaugrana will need to sign a new player to replace Sergio Busquets, whose contract also runs out at the end of the season.
Paul Merson, a legend at Arsenal, gives Bukayo Saka high marks :
During the international break, Arsenal had 18 senior players playing for a variety of national teams. Notwithstanding, the person who has grabbed the attention the most is youthful winger Saka. He has had his best season yet at the Emirates, scoring 13 goals and assisting ten others in 38 games across all competitions.
On Sunday, March 26, he also scored a miracle goal as England defeated Ukraine 2-0 in their second Euro 2024 qualifier. Merson, a former midfielder for the Gunners, has praised Saka for being a player for big events, telling Sky Sports :
“Bukayo Saka performed exceptionally against Ukraine. He gave Vitalii Mykolenko a scorching evening at Wembley. Saka is a big-time player who contributes during crucial phases of big football games.” The best of England’s four goals during the international break came from Saka.
In their first qualifier, they defeated Italy 2-1, scoring goals from Declan Rice and Hary Kane. After that, the latter got another in the Ukraine victory. However, Saka’s spectacular effort involved cutting inside onto his left foot and sending a rocket past Antonily Trubin, the goalkeeper.