Ilkay Gundogan has claimed that he is happy at Manchester City but confirmed that talks over a new contract are yet to take place.
Speaking in an interview with Kicker, Manchester City and Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has provided an update on his contract situation at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan has been with Manchester City since the summer of 2016 when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Having endured a slow start to life with the Premier League giants due to injury and fitness woes, the midfielder has flourished over the past few years under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
One of the key ingredients of the team that has achieved great success in domestic football, Gundogan has made 243 appearances for the Cityzens, scoring 46 goals and registering 33 assists.
Gundogan’s current contract with Manchester City runs out in the summer of 2023, meaning he will be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the season. It has led to speculations over the 31-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium beyond the ongoing campaign, especially amid links with a summer move for Youri Tielemans.
? Ilkay Gündogan on his future:
“I’m very happy at City, currently no more attractive place in terms of football. I can imagine staying beyond 2023. There are no concrete [contract] discussions, but we have a good relationship. I'm patient, it’s not urgent.”
[via @City_Xtra] pic.twitter.com/l31vxRYlta
— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) March 25, 2022
Gundogan is believed to have attracted the interest of Barcelona, who are long-term admirers of the German international. At the same time, reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move for the former Borussia Dortmund star.
However, recent reports had indicated that Gundogan was ready to snub interest from his suitors and sign a new deal with Manchester City. And he has admitted the same in an interview with Kicker, insisting that he is very happy at the Etihad Stadium while also adding that he is in no hurry to begin negotiations over a new deal.
“I’m very happy at Manchester City, football-wise there isn’t a more attractive place at the moment. I can imagine staying there beyond 2023,” Gundogan told Kicker. “There are no concrete talks, but we have a good relationship. I’m still patient. There’s no hurry.”
The 31-year-old Gundogan is an integral member of Guardiola’s setup at the Etihad. One of the most senior members of the squad, it is vital that Manchester City retain his services for a few more years, especially with another of their midfield stalwarts, Fernandinho, set to run down his contract in a few months.
