PEP GUARDIOLA wants Ilkay Gundogan to stay at Manchester City past next summer but the German will have to be patient over a new deal.
Gundogan, 31, is in the final 12 months of his £140,000-a-week contract and is keen to extend it.
City have no intention of letting him go but are in no rush to open talks.
That is despite Gundogan’s last club Borussia Dortmund being keen to take him back.
City plan to wait until he returns from World Cup duty before discussions begin, meaning the two parties are unlikely to meet before the new year.
The Etihad club do not see it as a risky strategy despite the fact Gundogan could go for nothing at the end of the season — and shining in Qatar would open more doors.
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There is plenty of trust on both sides and Gundo, who is taking his coaching badges, could even end up with a coaching role at the Etihad down the line.
The German midfielder was boss Guardiola’s first signing when he paid £20.4m for him in 2016.
In May, he cemented his cult-hero status scoring twice against Aston Villa to clinch the title.
And he hit the opener in Saturday’s 4-0 romp over Bournemouth.
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Only Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne have totalled more games under Guardiola than the 254 appearances clocked up by Gundogan.
It’s thought he’s in no hurry to decide his future but would like to stay.
City are also waiting to see if Barcelona come back in for playmaker Bernardo Silva.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
