Arsenal 'in good position' to sign Ilkay Gundogan this summer
Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker has revealed that his club are in a 'good position' to sign Man City's treble winning captain Ilkay Gundogan this summer on a free transfer.
Gundogan lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League as Man City captain this season, with the latter completing a historic treble on Saturday night. Gundogan, 32, sees his contract expiring this summer and is yet to agree terms on a new deal.
Mertesacker played with Gundogan with Germany between 2011 & 2014 and has suggested that he may see it as being 'mission accomplished' at City following the treble win. Speaking as a pundit for German broadcaster ZDF, the former Arsenal defender said the Gunners are definitely in the mix.
He continued, revealing Mikel Arteta's contact with the midfielder: "I think the clubs are queuing. Because Arteta knows him and we probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position.
"I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs."
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Arsenal are set to overhaul their midfield this summer, with the expected departure of Granit Xhaka meaning that at least two players are set to join. Gundogan is now believed to be a prime candidate, with Declan Rice also believed to want to join in potential club-record deal from West Ham.
After the 1-0 win against Inter on Saturday, Gundogan told ESPN: "I have not made a final decision on my future yet."
Barcelona are also thought to be keen on signing Gundogan, with the former Borussia Dortmund man having plenty of options as he celebrates the finest achievement of his career.
Pep Guardiola and Ilkay Gundogan are expected to come to a decision over the player's future in the coming weeks ((Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images))City are thought to be lining up a new two-year deal to retain his services, with recent comments from Pep Guardiola underlining his importance to City and their manager.
He said last month : “I said I had the feeling that, without him, we couldn't win the Premier League. He's so intelligent, Gundo; so clever and competitive. Under pressure he handles it without a problem. He's one of the best players I ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He's top, top class.”
City have often been ruthless in the transfer market, with Gundogan's age-profile potentially leading them to explore other options in the pursuit of continued success. Talks have reportedly already taken place with Chelsea over a deal for Mateo Kovacic.
However, there is expected to be little business in the next 24 hours, with City having a parade to celebrate their treble win on Monday in Manchester.
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