Gundo’s exit would be big worry for Pep
AS Ilkay Gundogan discussed his City future and danced around the issue of why a new deal remains unsigned, he could probably feel Pep Guardiola’s eyes fixed on him.
The Blues boss was sat just a couple of feet to Gundogan’s right as player and manager conducted media duties ahead of last night’s Champions League second leg with Schalke.
It might have felt like an awkward spectacle but both Guardiola and Gundogan are used to the fickle side of the football business.
The 28-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer of 2020, is entitled to keep his options open.
He hasn’t always been first choice in the City midfield, with injury not helping in that regard, and he knows it is likely to be his last big pay day.
But Guardiola will want to know what Gundogan is planning to do by the time the next transfer window swings open.
The former Borussia Dortmund man has started the last three Premier League games and is beginning to emerge as a more than capable stand-in for Fernandinho at the base of City’s midfield, as he proved again last night.
If he plans to walk away on a free at the end of next season it will complicate Guardiola’s plans for this summer, on several fronts.
A long-term replacement for 33-year-old Fernandinho has long been top of City’s transfer wishlist and that will be the case again in the next window, when it is essential the Blues finally find their man for that position.
They’ve found it difficult enough to find one Fernandinho replacement, however. The prospect of having to find another Gundogan who can fill in for that role will cause Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain a significant headache.
Fernandinho will be 34 by the start of next season, while David Silva will turn 34 midway through the 2019/20 season.
Two of City’s most important midfielders are gradually coming towards the end. To lose Gundogan as well will prevent the Blues with problems in the centre of the pitch.
Recently, Guardiola said City could target as many as four players this summer, but if there remains uncertainty over Gundogan’s future come June it could force them into even more business.
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first signing as City boss and as recently as January the Catalan was praising the qualities of his midfielder.
“Gundogan is so clever,” Guardiola beamed. “He plays a lot of passes; his quality is incredible.
“He arrives at the right time at right moment, he is incredible. He knows we want him to stay here.”
But while Gundogan might know what City want, he has remained non-committal when it comes to what he wants.
The possibility of losing another key midfielder in a year’s time will only add to upheaval during the next