MANCHESTER CITY aim to keep Ilkay Gundogan out of Arsenal’s clutches by getting him to agree on a new deal.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants a reunion with the Etihad skipper who he worked with when he was Pep Guardiola’s No 2 up until 2019.
The German’s City contract expires at the end of the season and early talks failed to find an agreement.
Barcelona indicated they were willing to offer him a two-year deal and Gundogan was holding out for a similar offer from his current club.
The stand-off alerted Arsenal, who ran the champions close in the title race, to the possibility they could bring him to the Emirates for free this summer.
However, there is now optimism that a compromise can be reached which will see him extend his seven-year stay at the Etihad.
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The deal proposed by City is believed to be structured differently to the one he has been offered at the Nou Camp but is closer to what he was looking for.
And if he does stay, it would be a timely boost for Guardiola who has regularly stated wants the German – his first signing at City back in 2016 – to stay.
Gundogan scored twice in each of his last two league starts – against Leeds and Everton – to put them on the brink of a third straight title.
He lifted the trophy at the weekend despite not getting on against Chelsea – and is now hoping to get his hands on two more before the season finishes.
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The feeling is Guardiola would have thrown his captain on for a few minutes at the end to say his goodbyes if he had thought it was going to be his Etihad farewell.
His situation has taken on increasing importance with summer target Jude Bellingham expected to join Real Madrid rather than the English champs.
Guardiola is looking to strengthen his midfield this summer with Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic one name under consideration along with Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga.
Brighton’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is also a player the Etihad chief admires – although he is expected to join Liverpool.
Meanwhile, City remain in talks with teen defender Rico Lewis over a new deal – but are yet to finalise terms.
The 18-year-old full-back showed his versatility and quality again during the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday and has been praised by Guardiola for his contribution to the title success.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
