Report: Bayern Munich join Arsenal in race to sign £150,000-a-week Premier League playmaker 

The past few weeks have seen speculation emerge surrounding the future of Ilkay Gundogan, who is entering the final 12 months of his current contract at Manchester City after scoring twice in quick succession to help the Blues retain the league title in surreal fashion against Aston Villa last weekend.

Headlines in the week prior were dominated by his reported exit from the club this summer. After a flurry of stories, Gundogan’s newlywed wife posted on Instagram that they had not flown to Barcelona, but instead to Denmark to hold a private marriage ceremony.

Whilst Gundogan has been a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola’s side since he became the Catalan’s first signing at the club in 2016, the former Borussia Dortmund star has not always been first-choice in midfield and was left on the bench for a number of crucial league and cup ties last term.

The £150,000-a-week man’s has just one year left on his current City contract and joins a host of other players that have deals expiring in the summer of 2023. There has been no talk of an extension, but Gundogan further rubbished claims of his Etihad Stadium departure during the Premier League champions parade on Monday.

However, speculation surrounding the future of Ilkay Gundogan continue to emerge with Arsenal – and now Bayern Munich – monitoring the situation.

According to the latest from TZ, Bayern Munich want to take the German International away from the Premier League, although Arsenal are also interested.

Thoughts

After the departure of club captain Fernandinho, the Blues are already on the lookout for his replacement and have been linked with Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips in recent days.

if Gundogan was another to walk out the exit door, City would have to again look to the market to bolster their squad. In the eight position, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have been the regular starters this season, but calling the German an able deputy may be doing a disservice to his incredible quality.

Keeping hold of the midfielder will allow the club to prioritise other pressing areas in the summer and add to what is already a star-studded squad. Not only that, Gundogan – as proven last Sunday – is a difference-maker at the highest level, so retaining his services will be a huge boost for Guardiola next season.