By Rob Dawson, Correspondent August 20, 2024 4:39am ET
Manchester City are among the clubs considering a possible deal for Ilkay Gundogan as his future at Barcelona remains in doubt, sources have told ESPN.
Saudi Arabian clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr club, are also interested in the midfielder, who could leave Barcelona after just one season.
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Sources told ESPN that Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants the 33-year-old Gundogan to stay but that club officials are prepared to allow a move if the right offer comes along.
Gundogan, who made 51 appearances for the Catalan club last season, has two years remaining on the contract he signed when he left City on a free transfer last summer.
City are considering signing another midfielder after sending Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan to Ipswich Town.
The club are also considering signing a forward following the departure of Julián Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and the injury that sees Norway international Oskar Bobb sidelined for more than three months.
City were keen to keep hold of Gundogan last summer but the German, who announced his international retirement on Monday, rejected several contract offers.
Despite interest from Arsenal, he ultimately agreed a move to Barcelona. Gundogan left City after seven years, making more than 300 appearances and winning the Premier League five times.
Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona last summer after his contract with Manchester City expired. Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Gundogan was a key player for Barcelona last season but his place in the team has come into question with the arrival of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig this summer.
Meanwhile, a source told ESPN that City are unlikely to consider making an offer for captain Kyle Walker, despite interest from Al Hilal.
Walker was close to leaving the Etihad for Bayern Munich a year ago, but instead signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2026.
A source told ESPN that Al Hilal are keen to sign the full-back if they are able to sell former Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi to free up a spot for another foreign player in the squad.
However, City are reluctant to lose Walker just 10 days before the transfer deadline and any approach is set to be rejected.