Arsenal transfer move for Ilkay Gundogan HIJACKED as European giants steam in and could complete move TODAY
ARSENAL’s swoop for Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is being HIJACKED and he could reportedly agree to join a rival club TODAY.
Gundogan, 32, is looking to leave the Etihad this summer after City initially only offered him a one-year deal.
GettyIlkay Gundogan’s future could be confirmed by close of play TODAY[/caption]
APBarcelona have reportedly hijacked Arsenal’s move for the Man City star[/caption]
City have since improved their terms by adding another year but the German star wanted more time to contemplate his future after their Treble triumph and was announced on their released list.
Now it seems that one of Europe’s biggest clubs has won the race to sign the midfielder, according to reports in Spain.
Mikel Arteta had hoped to lure the man he worked with at the Etihad previously to the Emirates to link-up with ex-City stars Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
But Mundo Deportivo, who claimed on Sunday that Barcelona “were optimistic” about signing him, have now received “positive messages” from the star’s agent.
He had allegedly told them last week that he wanted to think over a proposal made to him by the LaLiga giants.
Gundogan and his representatives then allegedly held further talks after he had finished international duty with Germany.
And although Barca chiefs are “not taking it for granted”, this fresh update claims sources have informed them that the deal could potentially be finalised by close of play today.
Barcelona director Mateu Alemany has led the negotiations but it was manager Xavi that appears to have sealed it.
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He is believed to have convinced Gundogan in a direct chat that the move to the Nou Camp would be right for him, despite higher financial packages on offer from City, Arsenal and from interested Middle East clubs.
Gundogan enjoyed a stellar season for City this season and scored a pair of volleys in City’s 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
He scored 60 goals and provided 40 assists in 304 appearances in all competitions since arriving at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
But now it looks like his last act as a City player was to skipper them to Champions League glory against Inter Milan to seal the historic Treble.
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