The Ilkay Gundogan confession that will worry Barça over possible deal
The midfielder wants to join the Catalan club but cannot wait forever for guarantees
Ilkay Gundogan wanted to decide his future after the Champions League final. That was the starting point for the German player who has worn the Manchester City shirt for the past seven seasons.
The midfielder has a renewal offer on the table from City, but Barcelona are also clearly interested in his services. The Catalan giants are keen to bring him in next season, especially after the departure of Sergio Busquets. Xavi considers that his incorporation would be a step forward to having a more powerful team.
A week has passed since Man City won the Champions League, a title lifted by Ilkay Gundogan as team captain, and the player still hasn't made up his mind.
Why the delay? The player himself explained privately at the title celebration party and SPORT have been able to access this information. In an intimate circle after the Champions League party, Gundogan explained his preferences. "I want to go to Barcelona, but I haven't received an offer yet," he said.
WAITING FOR BARÇA
The player himself is aware of Barcelona's financial situation. In fact, it has not escaped anyone's attention, as Leo Messi's decision, announced exclusively to SPORT and Mundo Deportivo, has served to make the whole football world aware of the weak situation in which Barcelona find themselves.
Gundogan is not oblivious to all this, but is well aware that his desire, at 32 years of age, to play for Barcelona is becoming more complicated as the days go by. That is why, in this post-Champions League title confession, he had a not-at-all-encouraging derivation for Barcelona: "I want to go to Barça... but I think I'll end up staying with Pep or at Al Hilal".
City want Gundogan to stay and have presented a renewal offer, while Al Hilal have also approached him with an out-of-market offer due to the fact that his contract with City is up.
So, things are getting complicated for Barça as the player does not see the economic situation of the Catalan club as clear. Gundogan himself is receiving a lot of warnings about the 'dangers' that the option of leaving to play for Barcelona represents.
Gundogan is in a sea of doubts and has not yet made up his mind. There are three options on the table and we will see which one he decides on.
