Ilkay Gundogan continues to leave Manchester City in the dark over future | OneFootball

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan continues to keep his employers in the dark over his long-term future, confirms Fabrizio Romano this week.

The Germany international midfielder is fast-approaching the expiry of his existing Manchester City contract, and given his age, there is a feeling in some quarters that his next deal could be his last big agreement at the top of the professional game.

Ilkay Gundogan joined Manchester City in the summer of 2016, becoming one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings after the Catalan joined the club, with the German joining from Borussia Dortmund.

However, as City officials now look to draw up their plans for the upcoming summer transfer window and in turn, identify the demands of players in regards to possible contract renewals, there continues to be an unknown surrounding the 32 year-old.

That is according to the information of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who this week has offered updates on potential suitors for Gundogan should he decide to leave, as well as Manchester City’s understanding of the situation at this present moment.

Speaking as part of a wide-ranging update on his official YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano explained, “Keep an eye on Gundogan – Gundogan is out of contract, he has still not decided his future with Manchester City. So, let’s keep it open, also on the contract extension side.

“But it’s true that Barcelona appreciate the player, so Gundogan is really appreciated. I am told also in this case there are other clubs calling around to understand the conditions around a potential free agent deal for Ilkay Gundogan.”

Romano continued, while touching on the situation of Aymeric Laporte, as he said, “So keep an eye on Gundogan, keep an eye on Laporte, because they are two players that could be on the move at Man City. In the case of Gundogan, it’s not decided yet. In the case of Laporte, it’s a really concrete possibility (that he leaves). Let’s see for Gundogan, also Laporte.”

Manchester City supporters will be well aware at this stage that club officials are on the look out for a new central midfielder – and possibly two – ahead of the summer transfer window, with a number of names already on their shortlist.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham continues to be their number one target in the position, but there remains uncertainty across Europe’s premier clubs whether they can meet a transfer fee demand from the German club that could reach the heights of €150 million.

Elsewhere, City could look at making moves for other options in the event that their pursuit for the English teenager is unsuccessful, with Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia both seen as possible back-ups.