FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has reportedly been in contact with Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, with the La Liga side keen to sign the midfielder.
According to AS, talks have taken place between the Barcelona legend and the Germany international, with Gundogan currently set to leave City as a free agent with his contract due to expire at the end of this season, and Barcelona are looking to strike.
The Catalan giants have made free-agent signings their main priority this summer given their financial situation, and Gundogan ticks a lot of boxes for what Barcelona need in the midfield, with Xavi now making moves behind the scenes to ensure the former Borussia Dortmund man moves to the Camp Nou.
With a reported wage of £140,000-a-week, Barcelona will have to make quite the financial package if they’re to sign Gundogan. However, given the midfielder’s age, the City star could be open to taking a pay cut this summer should the 32-year-old decide to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Indeed, whilst Gundogan is yet to make an official decision on his City future, the fact the midfielder is yet to sign a new contract is a telling sign that the four-time Premier League champion is open to a move, and Barcelona are making all the right moves to secure the midfielder’s services.
Moreover, with Barcelona set to win La Liga this season and bolster their squad beyond signing Gundogan, the German could be tempted with a move to Catalonia based on how exciting Xavi’s project is, with the Blaugrana’s squad one of the youngest in all of Europe.
Gundogan won’t find a better club to sign for this summer than Barcelona
Gundogan will go down as a legend at City, with the midfielder playing a key role in the club’s last four Premier League title wins as the German looks to add the UEFA Champions League to his trophy cabinet, and a move to Barcelona feels perfect at this stage of the 32-year-old’s career.
After all. the Catalan side have one of the youngest squads in Europe with some of the most exciting prospects in the game on their books, and adding an experienced head like Gundogan to the mix could be what helps Xavi take his team to the next level.
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