Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker claims that the club are in a ‘good position’ to win the race for Ilkay Gundogan.
Arsenal want to sign Ilkay Gundogan and Per Mertesacker has offered the Gunners some real hope over a summer deal.
Mertesacker was speaking on ZDF’s coverage of the Champions League final over in his native Germany.
As quoted by Sport1, Mertesacker offered some interesting comments about the future of City star Ilkay Gundogan.
Mertesacker noted that clubs will now be queueing for his signature with Gundogan now out of contract this summer.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Inter may now be seen as the perfect way to go out with Gundogan’s future up in the air.
Sport1 note that Gundogan could stay at City but three clubs – Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain – are trying to sign him.
Mertesacker thinks Gundogan will ultimately take time after this Champions League success but then pick one of the four clubs.
Mertesacker believes Arsenal are in a ‘good position’ to sign Gundogan though, suggesting that Arteta and Gundogan have never ended contact with each other.
Arteta and Gundogan worked together at City and Mertesacker believes a reunion at Arsenal is very possible.
“I think the clubs are queuing,” said Mertesacker.
“Because Arteta knows him and they probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position. I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs,” he added.
Ilkay Gundogan would be a huge signing for Arsenal
These comments will give Arsenal fans real hope given that Mertesacker is a man on the inside.
Mertesacker may run the Arsenal academy but he is still close with Edu and Arteta, so any transfer claim from him would be valuable.
Gundogan may be 32 but this would be a big move for Arsenal.
The German midfielder has proven himself to be a man for the big moments, even going back to his heroics to help City beat Aston Villa and win the Premier League title in 2022.
Gundogan was exceptional in City’s title run-in and even scored twice against Manchester United in the FA Cup final last week.
Arsenal have some exciting young players but adding a proven winner like Gundogan would not only strengthen Arteta’s side, but weaken Pep Guardiola’s.
Gundogan’s future is completely up in the air but Arsenal fans may be excited after Mertesacker’s comments.
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