Manchester City is currently exploring the possibility of signing Ilkay Gündogan amidst doubts over his future at Barcelona. The midfielder, who made 51 appearances for the Catalan club last season, has two years left on his contract. While Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants the 33-year-old to stay, club bosses are open to letting him leave if the right offer comes along. This has sparked interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Reinforcements Needed
City are considering signing another midfielder after allowing Kalvin Phillips to join Ipswich Town on loan. Additionally, the club is looking to bring in a forward following Julián Álvarez’s departure to Atlético Madrid and Oscar Bobb’s injury. The departure of Gündogan last summer despite City’s efforts to keep him, has left a void in midfield that the club is looking to fill.
Competition for Kyle Walker
While there is interest from Al Hilal in signing captain Kyle Walker, City is unlikely to entertain any offers. Walker, who almost joined Bayern Munich a year ago, signed a contract to stay at City until 2026. Al Hilal’s interest in Walker is contingent on offloading Renan Lodi, and any approach from the Saudi club is expected to be rejected. City values Walker’s contribution to the team and is not willing to lose him just days before the transfer deadline.
Manchester City is facing challenges in the transfer market as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season. The uncertainty surrounding Gündogan’s future at Barcelona and the interest in Walker from Al Hilal add to the complexity of City’s transfer dealings. As the transfer deadline approaches, City will need to navigate these challenges strategically to ensure they have a competitive squad for the season ahead.