Pep Guardiola expresses his desire for Ilkay Gundogan to remain at Manchester City, emphasizing their close friendship

Ilkay Gundogan’s outstanding performance in the FA Cup final, where he scored both goals to secure a 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Manchester United, has further highlighted his importance to the team. As the German midfielder’s contract is set to expire this summer, speculation has been circulating regarding his future, with Barcelona showing interest in acquiring his services. However, Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, is hopeful of retaining Gundogan’s services.

In an interview with ESPN, Guardiola expressed his admiration for the midfielder and his desire to keep him at the club. The manager revealed that he and Gundogan share a close friendship, having been neighbors and living on the same floor for many years. Guardiola lauded Gundogan’s exceptional performances on the pitch, acknowledging his significant contributions throughout the season.

Guardiola also mentioned that negotiations for a new contract are underway, with the club’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, leading the discussions. The manager expressed his hopes for a positive outcome, indicating his belief in Gundogan’s abilities and the value he brings to the team.

As the situation unfolds, fans of Manchester City will eagerly await the resolution of Gundogan’s contract negotiations, hoping that the club can secure his services for the foreseeable future.