Xavi claims Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan would struggle to turn down Barcelona transfer | OneFootball

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Evening Standard

·2 June 2023

Xavi claims Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan would struggle to turn down Barcelona transfer

Article image:Xavi claims Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan would struggle to turn down Barcelona transfer

The German international is approaching the final stages of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is also of interest to Arsenal.

Standard Sport understand the 32-year-old has not yet made a decision on his future and will decide after the Champions League final later this month.


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Barcelona made a number of high-profile free signings last summer in the shape of midfielder Franck Kessie and defender Andreas Christensen and have since seen their hand strengthened by winning LaLiga.

City are expected to offer the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder a new deal but it is understood Gundogan would seek a two-year contract as opposed to the one-year extension currently on the table.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta worked with Gundogan at the Etihad and is keen to reunite him with former teammates Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in north London.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, however, Xavi stressed the lure of the Camp Nou would be difficult for any player to ignore.

“Look, the only thing I can share is that any footballer we are going to sign and that we have the chance to talk to wants to come,” he said.

“They all want to come to Barça. All. I have not seen any player tell us: ‘No, I prefer to go to another club’. None.

“Since I’ve been at Barcelona and I’ve talked to a lot of footballers, as soon as I’ve called them and talked to them or met them, the feeling is that they say: ‘How wonderful that Barca is coming’.”

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