Pep Guardiola says that Manchester City are battling Barcelona for the signature of Ilkay Gündogan, with sources telling ESPN the midfielder will make a decision on his future this week.
Ilkay Gündogan is out of contract with Manchester City at the end of June, but City have offered him the chance to extend his seven-year stay at the club.
Barcelona are also interested in signing the Germany international, and Guardiola said he knows the Catalan club’s coach, Xavi Hernández, has been in contact with the player.
“We are interested in renewing his contract and [Barcelona] are also interested,” Guardiola told reporters at the Puma Legends golf tournament on Monday, as quoted by ESPN.
“I hope he stays with us. We are still fighting for him to stay with us. He is a player we want to stay – and we will do everything we can – but we know Barca want him.”
“If Barca sign him, they will have a spectacular footballer. I’m aware Xavi calls him up a lot. If, in the end, he chooses Barca, I will tell him he will enjoy himself.”
Sources told ESPN in March that Barca had announced a move for Gündogan, with sources explaining last week that they were still awaiting the former Borussia Dortmund man’s final decision.
Xavi has made it clear he is looking to add more goals and creativity to the midfield this summer, saying a “Santi Cazorla type” would be the ideal signing to help win back the LaLiga title.
Another City player also linked with Barca is right-back João Cancelo, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga after falling out with Guardiola.
Xavi says Barca are also interested in signing Cancelo in January, but City will not agree to a move for the Portugal international to Spotify’s Camp Nou.
“I read it, but Xavi was misinformed,” said Guardiola in response to the comments. “The reality is João has to go and we don’t mind where he goes – no offers have come from Barca.”
Pep Guardiola has also ruled City out of the race for Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé, who has said he will not be extending his contract with the French side beyond its expiration in 2024.
Mbappé says he still wants to stay at PSG next season, but sources have told ESPN that to avoid losing him for free, the French club will look to move him this summer.
Real Madrid were previously close to signing him and Guardiola hinted that it would be the next French attacking club despite being linked with several Premier League sides.
“We will not make a move for Mbappé,” the City coach confirmed. “You already know where he wants to go.”
