Sky Sports pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to sign a new deal with the club, amid reports that he could leave the Etihad Stadium.

The Lowdown: Gundogan’s title-winning heroics

The 31-year-old joined the recently-crowned Premier League champions from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for a reported fee of around £20m, and in the intervening six years, he has made 253 appearances for the Sky Blues across all competitions.

Despite having just over 12 months remaining on his current contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, it was reported by the Daily Mail earlier this month that the Germany international is set to depart City this summer.

However, Gundogan was introduced from the bench in the 68th minute to score two goals within the space of five minutes during City’s 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on the last day of the Premier League season, which ultimately secured the top-flight title and may have added a fresh twist in the contract tale.

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The Latest: Agbonlahor backs Gundogan to stay

When asked by Football Insider whether or not he thinks Gundogan will now leave the club after his recent heroics, Agbonlahor replied: “I don’t think so, no.

“There was the same sort of talks about Bernardo Silva last summer. After what he’s done, especially in that last game, I cannot see Gundogan going.

“Next season you need more players. Man City are losing Fernandinho already so they won’t want to lose another midfielder.

“I don’t believe that. Gundogan will be there and sign a new contract.”

The Verdict: Hugely valuable player

Even though the 56-cap Germany international isn’t getting any younger, you can’t deny the difference he makes to this City side, just as Sunday afternoon proved.

Gundogan has scored 49 goals and provided 33 assists since arriving at City (as per Transfermarkt), and despite only making 20 Premier League starts this season, he has shown that he can still make a massive impact off the bench.

There is no greater evidence of that than last Sunday, for if it weren’t for him, it would have been Liverpool lifting thePremier League trophy last weekend.

Guardiola has already admitted that he doesn’t want to lose the £140k-per-week midfielder, and hopefully we will continue to see the 31-year-old in a City shirt at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news… a BBC pundit has dropped this huge Man City transfer claim