‘Won’t make a difference’ – Arsenal warned over ‘concrete interest’ in Man City star

Arsenal have been warned against a move for Ilkay Gundogan by Dietmar Hamann, who claims the Manchester City star “won’t make a difference” in the Gunners’ bid to become Premier League champions.

Gundogan is out of contract at the Etihad at the end of the season, and despite reports confirming City want him to extend his deal, Arsenal are heavily linked with recruiting the Germany international this season.

Göz Atın

Man Utd ‘prepare opening bid’ for £70m Mount; Romano reveals ‘main issue’ caused by Chelsea

Guardiola favourite ‘tells friends’ UCL final will be his ‘last game’ for City as ‘fresh challenge’ awaits

Arteta wants ‘swift’ deal with Arsenal to ‘bid £90m’ for Rice as West Ham prepare ‘tricky’ demands

David Ornstein of The Athletic claims that Arsenal “hold a concrete interest in Gundogan and Mikel Arteta is driving it” as the Arsenal boss looks to add another City star to his ranks after signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.

The Spanish manager sees Gundogan as the “ideal replacement” for Granit Xhaka if he leaves but “no agreements have been reached and the situation is still open”.

But Hamann reckons Gundogan – who’s “been average for Germany” – won’t drive Arsenal to the title.

“Ilkay Gundogan is at an age now where he needs to play in a dominant team,” the former Liverpool star Hamann told Casinos En Ligne.

“He’s been a fantastic player for Manchester City, but he’s been average for Germany because we’re not as dominant with the ball.

“Would Gundogan improve Arsenal? Yes, he would, but he is 32-years-old so I would not sign him as a player who would make the difference in winning the Premier League next season.

“He won’t be a player to make the difference in winning Arsenal the Premier League next year.

“With his hero status at Manchester City and Barcelona being interested, I’m not sure he would play for another team in England.”

Hamann’s thoughts are at complete odds with those of Ally McCoist, who reckons Gundogan’s arrival “would be a bigger statement than Jesus”.

McCoist said: “This is an interesting one. What a statement that would be.

“It would be a bigger statement than Jesus. It would be a bigger statement than Zinchenko, for me.

“The only negative is that you don’t have a sell-on. But that’s balanced by the fact that you are going to get him on a free transfer.

“He is a big occasion player, that’s exactly what he is. Everybody will be after him.”

Manchester City have completed a deal to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona with the Premier League club announcing a deal on Friday morning.

Paul Scholes thinks Man Utd need to sign Man City hero Ilkay Gundogan over Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer.

Barcelona are ‘growing impatient’ over attempts from Man City to sign Ilkay Gundogan as they need his wages off their books, according to reports.

Ilkay Gundogan is returning to Man City after one year at Barcelona. No matter how you look at it, this is an outstanding transfer for everyone involved.

Man City are on the verge of completing a deal that will see Ilkay Gundogan return to the club from Barcelona, according to reports.

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could be on his way back to Man City in a swap deal for Joao Cancelo, according to reports.

© Planet Sport Limited 2024 • All Rights Reserved