Pep keen on Gundogan
Incoming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appears to have targeted Ilkay Gundogan for his new club sometime ago, but injury looked to have scuppered a move for the German midfielder.
On Thursday, German newspaper Bild reveal that Guardiola will press on with signing Gundogan this summer, even after the Borussia Dortmund schemer dislocated his knee cap earlier in May.
Bild report that Gundogan will not be present at the DFB Pokal final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich this coming Saturday as he is still in discomfort.
And, Dortmund and the player are still to decide whether Gundogan will have to undergo an operation or simply rest.
Guardiola is still very keen to sign Gundogan, regardless of how long the midfielder is out for.
It is not clear from Bild’s article, how Gundogan would pass a medical at Manchester City, if he is injured for the duration of the summer transfer window.
Bild also speculate that Gundogan may be allowed to leave Borussia Dortmund for a smaller fee than they had previously planned, due to the recent injury.
Manchester City have already bid for Gundogan
Manchester City’s first offer for Gundogan was 23 million euros plus incentives. This was rejected by Dortmund.
Speculation in the English press has claimed that Guardiola will move for Toni Kroos if he cannot sign Gundogan.
Guardiola worked with Kroos in his first season at Bayern Munich.