Ilkay Gundogan is ready to turn down a move to Arsenal after holding important talks with Barcelona manager Xavi.

The Man City captain’s contract is about to expire and according to Sport, he is ready to ‘end the chapter’ in his Premier League career.

Arsenal is intent on overhauling their central midfield this summer with Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga set to leave.

Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are high on Mikel Arteta’s wish list but Gundogan has also emerged as a potential target.

The pair worked together during their time at the Etihad Stadium and Arteta succeeded in luring players to move to north London from City with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko already on that path in the summer. last year.

City have not given up all hope of persuading Gundogan to sign a new contract but he is increasingly likely to join Barcelona after being offered a three-year contract.

Furthermore, Xavi has convinced the former Borussia Dortmund star that he will play a key role in his team next season as they look to maintain La Liga and make more of an impression in Europe.

Either way, Gundogan’s future won’t be resolved until after next weekend’s Champions League final, before which City will look to complete a domestic double against rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

Guardiola will be keen to retain the service of the captain, who he recently described as one of the best players he has ever coached.

Speaking last month, he said: ‘I remember a season when we won the Premier League for the second time when Fernandinho was injured for a long time and he played in midfield. games like the away game against Burnley with long passes, two passes, and… oh… he played.

“I say I have the feeling that without him we could not win the Premier League. He is very smart Gundo, very smart and competitive.

‘Under pressure, he handled it without a problem. He’s one of the best players I’ve coached in my career overall.

‘He’s top, top.’