Guardiola confirms Man City’s transfer rival for Gundogan

The 32-year-old midfielder has yet to decide his future going into the final weeks of his Manchester City contract.

Manchester City and Barcelona are fighting over the signature of Ilkay Gundogan, according to Citizens manager Pep Guardiola.

Gundogan, who is out of contract with City at the end of June, has an offer on the table to extend his seven-year stay at the Etihad, but Barca are keen to sign him too. In fact, Guardiola himself said that he knows the LaLiga club’s coach, Xavi Hernandez, has been in touch with the Germany international.

Speaking of Gundogan at the Puma Legends golf tournament in Girona on Monday, Guardiola said: “We are interested in renewing his contract and [Barcelona] are also interested.

“I hope he stays with us. We are still fighting for him to stay with us. He is a player we want to stay — and we will do all we can — but we know Barca want him. I am aware Xavi has called him a lot.”

At a German national team press conference on the same day, Gundogan confirmed he has made no decision over his future. He told reporters: “No decision has been made yet, I’m still in the process to decide my future.”

Guardiola also denied claims City refused to sanction a January move to Barcelona for Joao Cancelo. The full-back joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan instead. He is likely to return to Manchester this summer for the time being.

As for rumors linking City with Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, Guardiola replied: “You already know where he wants to go.”

The City coach was likely referring to Real Madrid, the club Mbappe has long been touted to join and almost did last year. That was before, the France captain signed a new lucrative contract at PSG instead.