Barcelona boss Xavi has 'spoken personally' to Ilkay Gundogan and more Man City transfer rumours
16.03.2023 - 23:37
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Barcelona manager Xavi has already spoken to Ilkay Gundogan as he attempts to lure the Manchester City midfielder to the Nou Camp, according to reports in Spain.
Gundogan's current contract at City expires in the summer, with growing speculation that he may call time on a seven-year spell in Manchester. The midfielder turns 33 later this year and will likely earn one more major move, should he decide to leave this summer.
Barcelona have long been touted as the German's next destination, with Xavi's side focusing on out-of-contract players given the financial restrictions placed on them by La Liga. And AS report that conversations have already taken place between Gundogan and Xavi ahead of a potential summer move.
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The report adds that such conversations have been 'more than positive', with Gundogan willing to lower his current wages in order to facilitate the move. The midfielder was signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, becoming Guardiola's first signing since arriving at the Etihad.
Elsewhere, German outlet BILD report that RB Leipzig would be willing to sell City target Josko Gvardiol for around £88m.
Gvardiol attracted interest from across Europe as he played a starring role as Croatia made it to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, before impressing again during the first leg of City's Champions League last-16 tie at the Red Bull Arena. Such form has inevitably attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, who see the 20-year-old as the perfect modern-day centre-back.
City are joined by the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in expressing interest in Gvardiol, with the report suggesting €100m (around £88m) would