Manchester City transfer news this morning sees the champions readying themselves for the potential exit of Ilkay Gundogan, with two glittering names shortlisted as a suitable replacement.
The expectation is that Gundogan will exit the club this summer with just three months left on his current City contract. Barcelona are thought to be leading the chase for the German’s signature with Sergio Busquets increasingly likely to pull the curtain down on his time in Catalonia, and Gundogan’s long-term affection for their possession-based football has him edging closer to the exit.
Although the Citizens are willing to offer him a short-term extension having been one of Pep Guardiola‘s most loyal generals since the pair arrived in 2016, reports this morning suggest the La Liga leaders have already reached a verbal agreement over a loan deal, in order to subvert their ongoing registration conflict with the league.
🚨🚨✅| JUST IN: FC Barcelona have reached full agreement with İlkay Gündoğan! If he accepts the loan clause, he will be a blaugrana.@gerardromero [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/f4kvhmkYL4
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 29, 2023
Should the move materialise, Manchester City are already said to be laying the groundwork for a midfielder replacement, and they have their attention firmly fixed on the Bundesliga with two of Europe’s most sought-after teenagers.
The future of Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund remains unclear, but once the summer window rolls around once again, expect a host of Europe’s heavyweights to be grappling for his services.
Manchester City are in the fortunate position of being one of the few clubs that may be able to afford him, with the Bundesliga leaders thought to be demanding a fee of at least £130m for the 19-year-old. They will of course face competition from fellow Premier League contenders Liverpool, while European champions Real Madrid are considered the frontrunners at this moment in time.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is also being considering by the City hierarchy. The supremely talented teenager recently recovered from a nasty cruciate ligament injury, and in some style, registering two goals and six assists since January.
Manager Xabi Alonso even compared his fleet-footed abilities and footballing awareness to Lionel Messi in a recent interview, and the German international would undoubtedly be an exciting addition to City’s future project.
In a similar situation to Bellingham, the club would have to dig out their chequebook with Wirtz under contract until 2027, and coupled with a current market value of £70m, Leverkusen would demand a fee in excess of £100m.
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