Ilkay Gundogan remains an option for Barcelona amid contract uncertainty

Manchester City Captain Ilkay Gundogan is still very much a transfer option for Barcelona should they lose their midfield maestro Frenkie De Jong.

The Catalan giants pursued the option of signing City’s German midfielder in the summer transfer window with rumours swirling that De Jong would move on.

The Dutch star was unable to leave due to financial and contractual constrictions, meaning no move was made for Gundogan.

This is all according to Mundo Deportivo, and relayed by Sport Witness, who have featured a piece claiming Gundogan is still a “distant option” for Barcelona.

They add that the creative midfielder had been an “emergency” option during the summer had De Jong departed and the Catalan side were unable to attain fellow City midfielder Bernardo Silva’s signature.

Gundogan joined the Premier League champions in 2016 as manager Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the club.

He is now into the last year of his contract in England and although rumours of an extension have been tabled, nothing is official as of yet.

Yet despite only having one year left on his City contract, Mundo Deportivo insist that the German is not a priority for the La Liga side.

This summer, Gundogan was awarded the prestigious role of Manchester City captain, taking over from fellow midfielder Fernandinho who left the club in the in May after nine successful years.

The German is City’s fourth permanent captain in just five seasons following on from Vincent Kompany, David Silva and of course, Fernandinho.

Gundogan has taken to his new role and its responsibilities well, making seven appearances this season - scoring two goals and assisting one more.

Ilkay Gundogan opens the scoring for Man City

City currently sit second in the Premier League table, just a point behind league leaders Arsenal.

The Blues are bidding to win a hat-trick of Premier League titles, after retaining their crown dramatically last season.

Gundogan played an influential role in the Blues' fourth title in five years.

The 31 year-old scored twice against Aston Villa, as City launched a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and win another Premier League title.

Ilkay Gundogan Goal Celebration vs Aston Villa (Image: Sportimage/Alamy)

Gundogan has played a key in City's recent title successes, memorably scoring a record 17 goals during the 2021/22 campaign.

City are next in action against cross-city rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and Gundogan will expect to start after a goal-scoring international appearance in midweek versus England.