Rumours about who Man City would be looking at for their replacement to Pep Guardiola’s initial acquisition seemed to last a couple of weeks, but according to a report, it would not be Paul Pogba. Pep Guardiola is understood to be monitoring messages that have targeted Fabian Ruiz as Ilkay Gundogans potential replacement should the German international leave. Manchester City is interested in signing Napoli ace Fabian Ruiz during the summer transfer window as their potential replacement for ageing star Ilkay Gundogan, according to Fichajes.
Frenkie De Jong is closing on a move to Manchester United, while Ruiz, given his La Liga experience and contract situation with Napoli, could prove a cheap replacement for Barca. Reports suggest that goal-scorer Fabian Ruiz wants out of Naples before next season and has been linked with a move to north London, with Mikel Arteta looking to strengthen the midfield. Arsenal is also among the Premier League clubs linked with rumoured target Fabian Ruiz recently because of his uncertain status in Italy.
If Arsenal is to be concretely interested in his services, Arsenal and co. may need to make quick moves in order to avoid running into Pep Guardiola. While it is reported that Arsenal is locked in a bidding war with Barcelona to sign Ilkay Gundogan, Fabrizio Romano added that talks are underway between Gundogan’s agent and officials at Man City regarding his future, although there is no new contract. Should the position of central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan look uncertain at City following the completion of reinforcements for manager Pep Guardiola’s side, Gundogan may seek to orchestrate a move away from the club this summer.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is on contract at the Etihad, which is set to reach the end of its final year later this month but is unwilling to sign a new contract without reassurances from manager Pep Guardiola that he will be a regular in Manchester City’s Premier League side. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal, among others, in recent times. Still, City coach Pep Guardiola is not aware of those rumours and has insisted that he is eager to retain hold of the German international. Barca and Arsenal are mentioned as potential destinations should Ilkay Gundogan depart City this summer, along with the possible return to Germany, where he spent most of his career before joining City. Reports added that Ilkay Gundogan, who is being courted by other opportunities at clubs such as Arsenal, is waiting on a green light.
Described as phenomenal by teammate Joao Cancelo, the German international’s presence and experience would be greatly missed in Pep Guardiola’s midfield but would also represent a fantastic addition to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Strangely, Pep Guardiola seems to shy away from players that remind him of the younger version of himself in the Premier League. Still, the players Guardiola has signed early on are consistently the most reminiscent of a younger Pep Guardiola at Barcelona during his time with Johan Cruyff, Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.
