Mertesacker says Arsenal well positioned to land Gundogan on free transfer

Arsenal academy manager, Per Mertesacker, has expressed confidence that the club is well-positioned to secure the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Gundogan’s contract with City is set to expire at the end of June, potentially making him available on a free transfer, leading to him being highly sought after in the window.

While Barcelona has shown a keen interest in the midfielder throughout the 2022/23 season, sources indicate that they face stiff competition from Arsenal. The Gunners first entered the race for Gundogan’s signature last month, with manager Mikel Arteta eager for a reunion with the German international, having previously worked together at Manchester City.

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Notably, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has also been linked with a potential move for Gundogan in recent weeks, adding another layer of intrigue to his future destination.

Mertesacker, who had the opportunity to play alongside Gundogan for the German national team, made his statement as a pundit during the ZDF coverage of Saturday’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.

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In a closely contested match, City emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, courtesy of a second-half goal from Rodri. As captain, Gundogan had the honor of lifting the coveted trophy at the end of the game.

During the broadcast, Mertesacker openly expressed his belief that Arsenal could indeed be the next club for Gundogan, further fueling the speculation surrounding the midfielder’s potential move.

“I think the clubs are queuing. Because Arteta knows him and we probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position,” Mertesacker said.

“I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs.”

Mertesacker added that winning the treble with Man City would allow Gundogan “to say, okay, mission accomplished.”

Gundogan was asked about his future post-match in Istanbul, but he simply stated: “I have not made a final decision on my future yet.“