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Football

29th Mar 2019

Ilkay Gundogan could leave Man City after contract talks stall

Simon Lloyd

City may be forced to sell

Ilkay Gundogan could leave Manchester City this summer after the German international opted to put his contract talks on hold.

A report by Goal has indicated that the midfielder, who arrived at The Etihad from Borussia Dortmund three years ago, has concerns about committing to a new deal as he is unconvinced he would be a regular starter for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The report says that the 28-year-old will not be extending his current deal for the time being, and that City may be forced to sell him in the summer if his stance doesn’t change.

Gundogan

Gundogan’s current deal expires in 2020 and City will continue to attempt to persuade him to prolong his stay in Manchester.

Though he has made nearly 40 appearances for the club over the course of this season, he is thought to aware that competition for places is likely to intensify after the summer. City are likely to bring in at least one more midfielder as a replacement for the ageing Fernandinho, and highly rated youngster Phil Foden is likely to require more playing time as he matures.

City remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple this season. Having already won the Carabao Cup, they are two points behind league leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, in a Champions League quarter-final against Tottenham and face Brighton for a place in the FA Cup final.