Stuart Pearce has praised Arsenal transfer target Ilkay Gundogan for the timing of his runs as Manchester City hosted Liverpool. The midfielder impressed him on Saturday.
The Citizens welcomed the Reds to the Etihad Stadium in a meeting of two Premier League heavyweights. But Gundogan only took nine minutes to impress Pearce after storming into the away penalty area. He also forced Alisson off his line after Kevin De Bruyne’s delivery.
De Bruyne and Jack Grealish combined well on Manchester City’s right wing before playing a curling pass into the area. Gundogan timed a run to perfection to meet the Belgian’s ball on the edge of the six-yard box. But Alisson smothered his pass intended for Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal and Barcelona are interested in Gundogan’s transfer from Manchester City
Pep Guardiola started Gundogan in a Premier League fixture for the 21st time this term as Manchester City hosted Liverpool. He has also now featured in 26 games and entered the weekend on three goals and three assists. Yet the German now faces an uncertain future.
Gundogan is out of contract at Manchester City this summer and is now attracting interest from Arsenal and Barcelona in a free transfer. Sport reported in March 2023 that the £21m former Borussia Dortmund star is on the two club’s radars but will favour a move to Spain.
Further reports by Sport in March 2023 also note that Gundogan asked Manchester City to give him a new, two-year contract to stay. But the Etihad Stadium natives are not willing to match his demands. Barcelona would also struggle to afford the midfielder’s wage request.
Gundogan impressed Pearce at the Etihad Stadium against Liverpool on Saturday
Gundogan earns £165k-a-week at Manchester City, which Arsenal could afford to edge out Barcelona for his free transfer this summer. The 32-year-old switching to Emirates Stadium would also see Mikel Arteta get another player he worked with while Guardiola’s assistant.
The German is also still delivering impressive performances despite his future now being uncertain. Gundogan particularly impressed Pearce with the timing of the Arsenal transfer target’s runs as Manchester City hosted Liverpool at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
Pearce told talkSPORT (01/04, 12:40): “It was an absolutely magnificent ball into the box. The timing and the run from Gundogan was magnificent, as well.”
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