Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has responded to mounting claims that Ilkay Gundogan is set for a departure from the club this summer.
The name of German international Gundogan, of course, took its place front and centre in the media headlines earlier this week.
This came amid sudden, and altogether surprising reports that the 31-year-old, who remains an integral member of the Sky Blues’ ranks in the middle of the park, had been informed that he was free to find a new club ahead of next season.
An ‘amicable’ agreement, in turn, was said to have been fund between the two parties, ahead of an imminent parting of ways come the summer.
EXCLUSIVE
– Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave Manchester City this summer
– Club say no talks until season end but u’stand position made clear
– Situation with Guardiola first signing ‘very amicable’
– Player took jet to Madrid this morninghttps://t.co/5c9fXVXomY
Story:
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Full— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) May 16, 2022
‘Want him to stay’
Speaking to the press ahead of his side’s final day Premier League showdown with Aston Villa on Sunday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Gundogan’s future was put to Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard, though, was quick to reveal his bemusement with the speculation surrounding his midfield star’s name.
”If you ask me personally, I want Ilkay Gundogan to stay here at Man City,” Guardiola began. ”There is no one thinking he cannot be here. If he wants to leave, as a club we don’t know it.”
Citing this week’s social media chatter, the City boss then went on to add:
“All the Twitter accounts saying he will leave, I don’t know. Maybe you know more than me…”
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