Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants his captain Ilkay Gundogan to sign a contract extension at the club.
Gundogan was the man of the moment last evening as his brace helped Manchester City beat their rivals Manchester United 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley and get closer to winning the treble for the first time in their history.
Gundogan’s contract with Manchester City expires at the end of this season and talks over a new deal have not yet been fruitful. In the same period, La Liga winners Barcelona and Premier League runners-up Arsenal have shown interest in securing his signature should he leave Manchester City.
“He knows what I think. Txiki [Begiristain, Manchester City’s football manager] is working on it. Hopefully, he can be successful,” Guardiola said in a post-match press conference last night when asked about Gundogan’s contract situation.
“We are neighbours. We live on the same floor for many years so he is a close friend of mine. He plays exceptionally well. I don’t forget him scoring those goals against Aston Villa. Hopefully, we can finish in a good way.” Guardiola heaped praise on the German in the same conference.
Gundogan has been in great form for Manchester City, especially at the business end of the season when every match had to be played like a final.
It should be noted that Gundogan was the first signing the Spaniard made when he took over the reigns at Manchester City in 2016 and the two have formed a great working relationship that has culminated in them winning 11 trophies.
They have a chance of making that 12 should they win the Champions League next week on Saturday.
