Italian outlet CMW claim that Juventus want to sign Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in January in order to save their dismal start to the 2022-23 campaign – and a fee of £22million will tempt the Premier League champions.
Gundogan, 31, remains an important part of the City side. Now club captain, the ex-Dortmund midfielder was Pep Guardiola’s first signing for the Manchester club. Since his move in 2016, he has clocked up a huge 266 outings.
In that time, he has had a hand in 85 goals – producing a goal involvement once every three games. He has scored 51 times himself, and laid on 34 assists. But the Germany international’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
Juventus are ready to test City’s resolve. Max Allegri needs a spark from somewhere, with Juve sitting in eighth place after nine games. On Tuesday night, they were beaten 2-0 by Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League.
Allegri needs some guile in midfield and is said to have targeted a move for Gundogan. The report claim Manchester City will be willing to do business if Juventus bid £22million. That is, given the situation surrounding his contract.
Juventus want to sign Manchester City midfielder Gundogan in January
This is a move that suits all parties. Unfortunately for Gundogan, despite his remaining importance to the City side, it is unlikely that he is offered a new deal given his age. It might be the time to freshen things up in Guardiola’s midfield.
With the player turning 32 this month, he also needs to think about his future. A move to Italian football, and its slower tempo might just help Gundogan continue well into his late thirties with Juventus. He is easily good enough to start.
For City, it would also see them rake in a sizable figure in terms of cash. That is, for a player that will leave for nothing next summer. Whether City do decide to hand him a new deal before his deal ends in June 2023, remains to be seen.
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