Barcelona boss Xavi 'makes request to get Man City's Ilkay Gundogan'

Barcelona boss Xavi ‘makes special request to get Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan’ on a free transfer in the summer, with the German out of contract at the Etihad at the end of the season… despite the Catalan giants having to slash their wage bill

  • Barcelona boss Xavi has reportedly made a “special request” for Ilkay Gundogan 
  • The German midfielder’s contract at Manchester City runs out this summer 
  • Xavi wants to bring Gundogan to the Nou Camp despite their financial problems 

Xavi has made a special request to get Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona this summer, according to a new report.

Gundogan, 32, has been an important part of the Citizens since 2016, helping them to four Premier League titles.

But the German’s contract expires at the end of the season, and despite Pep Guardiola’s admiration of the midfielder, it looks like he may exit the Etihad soon.

The Athletic report that Barcelona boss Xavi has made a “special request” to obtain the services of Gundogan in the summer – despite the club’s financial woes. 

It is reported that the midfielder’s move to Spain is now ‘likely’, as negotiations reach a pivotal point ahead of the German’s free availability in the off-season.

Ilkay Gundogan’s contract at Man City expires at the end of the season after seven years there

Barcelona manager Xavi has reportedly made a “special request” to sign Gundogan for free

Barcelona are strapped for cash due to a woeful performance in Europe this season, falling at the Champions League group stage, and then a Europa League exit at the hands of Manchester United.

The legal issues have also hit their bid to secure the services of talented young man Gavi, and it seems that he could be allowed to leave the club for free due to a clause in his contract, signed before he made his first-team debut.  

Gundogan has made 290 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side in his seven years in north-west England, scoring 53 times. 

However, Manchester City have struggled to come close to an agreement which would see the midfielder extend his time in the Premier League, with disputes over the length of any deal and the personal conditions attached.

Gundogan has scored 53 goals for the club, but they’re not close to agreeing new terms

Gundogan’s agents were also responsible for Barcelona signing Andreas Christensen on a free

Gundogan’s team reportedly believe that every option is still on the table, but that the 32-year-old remains focused on trying to navigate Man City’s end to the current campaign, as they try to chase down Premier League leaders Arsenal, and remain in contention for the Champions League and FA Cup trophies in June. 

Gundogan’s agents were responsible for Andreas Christensen joining Barcelona on a free fransfer after the end of his time at Chelsea. The German was also seen at Barcelona’s training facilities in February, where he met with the club’s sporting director. 

There are big changes afoot at the Catalan giants, which makes the outlook bleak despite their LaLiga success so far this term.

Barcelona have to cut their huge wage bill over the summer, and face upcoming disruption with a corruption case attracting the attention of UEFA, and the first team will have to spend a year away from playing at the Nou Camp as their stadium is redeveloped. 


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