Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract at Manchester City at the end of the season and isn’t close to putting pen to paper on an extension, so Kevin Campbell believes he’ll be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium next summer.
City were reportedly in talks with the 32-year-old over a new deal back in 2021, but there hasn’t been any progress made. And with Gundogan able to agree a pre-contract deal with a non-English club in January, Campbell is convinced he’s leaving.
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He told Football Insider: “The problem is his contract is running out and in January he will be able to speak to European clubs. Why have they not secured him? It doesn’t look to me as if he is a priority.
“He is a fantastic player and has been the difference for Man City in key games. He is not their priority though, clearly. I think Gundogan will leave. If there was an opportunity to secure his services for another season or two they would have done it already.”
Gundogan was Pep Guardiola’s first signing after being appointed City manager, joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2016. The German international has made 268 appearances in all competitions, scoring 51 goals with 34 assists, but this might be his last season.
Gundogan has been linked with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus, so City risk losing him to a European giant if they don’t tie him down to a new deal.
And although the 32-year-old stated he could stay in Manchester if given an important role in the squad, he was coy when asked outright about his City future months ago. Campbell may be right.
In other news, Pep Guardiola delivers Erling Haaland injury update
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