Ilkay Gundogan has hinted at possibly staying at Manchester City amid transfer interest from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Xavi’s Barcelona.
On Saturday, Ilkay Gundogan netted a brace, including the quickest-ever FA Cup final goal in history when Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
It was a stunning strike from the soon-to-be free agent because, only 12 seconds in, the ball was flicked on by Erling Haaland, only for Gundogan to volley home from the edge of the box and state after the match ‘I love this club’ when pressed about his future, as he told beIN Sports.
That’s the domestic double sorted for this all-dominant Pep Guardiola side and they can go even better next week.
Serie A giant’s Inter, in the Champions League final in Istanbul, stand in their way of becoming treble winners. A feat only a certain Manchester United have achieved in English football history.
On one hand, what a way for Gundogan to bow out, that’s if he decided to leave, but Man City fans might feel a little positive when they hear the German’s response to Guardiola wanting him to stay.
“I feel very appreciated at the club,” said Gundogan. “I have never been at a football club for seven years.
“So, I think that shows how much I love this team, the manager and I love this club. We will see what’s going to happen.”
BARCELONA AND ARSENAL FIGHTING IT OUT FOR GUNDOGAN
If Man City go on and win the treble, then there wouldn’t have been many players in the past, if anyone, with the value Gundogan would have on his shoulders as a free signing.
It would be a quite sensational signing for either Arsenal or Barcelona because you don’t get much better than a treble-winner walking through your doors – the Gunners have made a ‘very strong’ financial offer to the 32-year-old.
As Arsenal and Barca legend Thierry Henry recently pointed out, what Gundogan is doing right now is ‘pretty special’, as he steps up during the most crucial of times for his club.
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