Manchester City midfielder and reported Arsenal goal Ilkay Gundogan has been urged to hitch Barcelona as an alternative of the Gunners if he leaves the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires on the finish of the season. Gundogan is poised to turn into a free agent when the marketing campaign attracts to an in depth as issues stand and is alleged to be a participant of curiosity to Mikel Arteta, who labored alongside the German maestro throughout his time as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man.

Arsenal have lately been tipped to method Gundogan over a transfer to north London on a free switch regardless of being provided a brand new contract at City, with ESPN claiming {that a} one-year deal is on the desk in step with their coverage of avoiding long-term extensions for gamers over the age of 30. Barcelona have additionally been credited with a want to land Gundogan and former Liverpool ace Stevie Nicol believes that he ought to push for a transfer to the Nou Camp if he decides towards signing recent phrases together with his present employers over the approaching weeks.

Nicol informed ESPN: "Why would Gundogan leave Manchester City? Why don’t you just take the year [extension]? Gundogan can go back to Germany any time he wants. That would make more sense [going to Barcelona] than going to Arsenal.

"You’re leaving the most effective staff to a staff that you understand are inferior, however you'll play towards them in the identical league. If you'll reduce your ties, then I might go someplace else. I might both return to Germany, to Barcelona or to a membership of that ilk.

JUST IN: Man Utd work on perfect Declan Rice welcome gift as Arsenal pursuit hits trouble

"The only thing I am good with is that he’s a better player than [Granit] Xhaka. If you can replace what you have got, with better, then that’s the way forward. That’s the only reason why I think it’s a good move for Arsenal. It’s just from a Gundogan point of view, I don’t understand it."

It stays to be seen whether or not Arsenal will find yourself including Gundogan to their squad over the approaching weeks, with the Gunners available in the market for no less than one new midfielder forward of Xhaka's anticipated departure on the finish of the season. They have reportedly recognized Declan Rice as their high goal however are seemingly preserving tabs on a variety of potential alternate options, with Gundogan amongst these in a position to provide an improve on Xhaka in the course of the park.

The City midfielder lately make clear his contract state of affairs in Manchester by insisting {that a} agency determination is but to be made regardless of admitting that negotiations have been going down behind the scenes over the previous couple of weeks. He informed reporters: "We have been together for seven years. It has been amazing, we have won a lot together and to hear things like that of course brings me joy and a smile and I appreciate what I have done in these last seven years.

"There are talks within the background. That's regular with simply a few months left however with out going an excessive amount of into element there may be nothing determined but from my facet or the membership's facet so the talks are persevering with. If there is a determination, you guys would be the first ones to know."

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook group by clicking right here.