---
title: "Man City: Barcelona ‘pushing hard’ to sign Ilkay Gundogan"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/ilkay-gundogan-transfer-news-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2023-02-25T12:45:01Z"
modified: "2023-02-25T12:45:01Z"
---

# Man City: Barcelona ‘pushing hard’ to sign Ilkay Gundogan

**[Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) midfielder [Ilkay Gundogan](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/ilkay-gundogan/) is the subject of interest from Barcelona, who are ‘pushing hard’ to sign him, according to a report.**

### The Lowdown: Gundogan’s future in doubt

Gundogan’s contract with Man City is set to [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilkay-gundogan/profil/spieler/53622) at the end of the season, and while [Pep Guardiola](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/pep-guardiola/) has given him the captaincy in an attempt to get him to stay, his future still remains in major doubt.

It was [reported](https://theathletic.com/4109957/2023/01/20/ilkay-gundogan-manchester-city-contract/) back in January that the club were in contract talks with the German about extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium, but a more recent update indicates they are [unwilling](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-city-contract-guardiola-alvarez-29248542?_ga=2.13414327.1086304308.1677320003-1436273548.1663879542) to give him a two-year deal.

### The Latest: Barcelona pushing

According to a [report](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-barcelona-pushing-to-sign-ilkay-gundogan-after-man-city-talks-reveal/) from Football Insider, Barcelona are ‘pushing hard’ to sign the midfielder on a free transfer, with manager Xavi regarding him as a top-level signing.

City have not given up on keeping the 32-year-old, but they are not close to agreeing a new contract, opening the door for a switch to the Camp Nou.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410621″\]

### The Verdict: Worrying news

It is worrying news that Barca have their sights on the central midfielder, as he has yet again been a vital player for Pep Guardiola so far this season, making a total of [33](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilkay-gundogan/leistungsdaten/spieler/53622) appearances in all competitions.

City are right to be cautious about offering the maestro a two-year deal this summer, given that he will nearly be 35 by the time it expires, however his experience could still be very useful in the dressing room, while Guardiola has also [lauded](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/pep-guardiola-borussia-dortmund-uefa-champions-league-63802216#:~:text=Training%3A%20Dortmund%20on%20the%20horizon&text=%E2%80%9CGundogan%20was%20the%20first%20player,incredible%20football%20player%2C%20always%20grounded.) him as an ‘incredible’ player.

Given that Kalvin Phillips has failed to hit the ground running at the Etihad Stadium, making just [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/351749) [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) appearances, while Rodri has also been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/man-city-rodri-transfer-news-rumours-updates/) with a move away, Man City’s aim should now be to resolve the contract dispute with Gundogan as soon as possible.