Pep Guardiola really isn’t wasting any time at all as he prepares for life at Manchester City.
After reports last week suggested that his new club were preparing to fight off interest from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid for Dortmund midfielder İlkay Gündoğan, Guardiola has apparently intervened personally to ensure that the deal gets done.
The Guardian are today reporting that talks between Man City and the player’s representatives have already begun, with a view to making the German international one of Guardiola’s first signings when he arrives at the Etihad this summer.
Dortmund are reported to value the 25-year-old midfielder at roughly £23m, or €30m – a price that a club such as Man City would have no problem paying for such a highly-regarded player.
Gündoğan’s uncle (and representative) Ilhan met with Man City sporting director Txiki Begiristain in Amsterdam this week as they looked to thrash out a deal. (Apropos of nothing, Begiristain also met with Guardiola this week at the same venue.)
The plot thickens: Txiki and İlkay Gündogan’s uncle spotted in Amsterdam [De Telegraaf] https://t.co/Jb5xTlQ0Za pic.twitter.com/zudYiBWDyk
— City Watch (@City_Watch) March 9, 2016
Man City’s move for Gündoğan comes as it is expected that Yaya Touré looks to be on his way out of the club. The Ivory Coast international has had a relatively fractious relationship with both the owners and fans at Man City and after numerous threats to leave the club in the past, Guardiola may very well make the decision for him.
Gündoğan’s current club, Borussia Dortmund, maintain hope of convincing the player to stay at the Signal Iduna Park but that hope is evaporating by the day. Gündoğan is believed to be very keen to play under Guardiola – and while that would have harmed relations with Dortmund fans had he left to join the Spaniard’s current club Bayern Munich, a move to the Premier League would be considered far more palatable.
As such, the best course of action for themselves could be to cash out now rather than lose him on a free transfer in 2017.
Understandably, Dortmund are refusing to comment on the speculation surrounding the players future.
In fact, their exact words were…
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc to BILD on Txiki’s meeting with Gündoğan’s uncle/agent: “No comment.”
— City Watch (@City_Watch) March 9, 2016
Gündoğan is one of a number of targets being linked with Man City for when Guardiola arrives. The 2014 Premier League champions are also reportedly keeping tabs on Everton’s John Stones and Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao as the incoming manager looks to rejuvenate the side’s ageing squad.
Read More About: Aymeric Laporte, Champions League, dortmund, Ilkay Gundogan, john stones, Man City, man city news, man city transfer news, pep guardiola, Txiki Begiristain, yaya toure
