Arsenal have a concrete interest in Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, with Mikel Arteta driving a move, according to a report.

Arsenal transfers - Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on May 14, 2023. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on May 14, 2023. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
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David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Mikel Arteta has identified Ilkay Gundogan as the ideal replacement for Granit Xhaka, should the Swiss international depart for Bayer Leverkusen this summer as expected.

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Arsenal reportedly hold a concrete interest in the midfielder, though Manchester City will make fresh efforts to keep him, and he has other options on the table including Barcelona.

As it stands, the situation remains open, with no agreements reached and his City contract running down.

Gundogan’s deal expires in the summer, so if he doesn’t agree to extend with City, he’ll be available on a free transfer.

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The Guardian report that Gundogan could be tempted to work with Arteta again, and that the length of a potential deal could prove pivotal.

The 32-year-old would want at least two guaranteed years to remain in Manchester, and you’d imagine the same would be true at Arsenal.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Gundogan ended up proving pivotal for Manchester City in this season’s title race, scoring five goals in six games from the start of April onwards.

In total, the midfielder has made 48 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring nine goals and assisting seven. He’s also City’s club captain.

It would certainly be a coup for Arsenal to lure Gundogan away from City on a free transfer, damaging a rival whilst boosting their own title chances.

With Xhaka likely leaving, it’s also important that the Gunners do make at least a couple of top midfield signings this summer.

Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (R) celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal with Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (C) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 14, 2023. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (R) celebrates scoring the team’s fourth goal with Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (C) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 14, 2023. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

But it’s undoubtedly going to be difficult to secure a deal, given the competition. Gundogan is going to have strong ties to his current club, and Barcelona are always an attractive option.

Joining Arsenal would allow him to get a fresh start whilst remaining in England and in the Premier League, and playing under a manager he already knows well. So that certainly works in the Gunners’ favour.

The Premier League’s retained lists are published in early June, so we’re likely to get some sort of update on Gundogan staying at City (or not) by then. Last year, the lists were confirmed on June 10th.