Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is "aware" of Barcelona's interest in signing midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
The 32-year-old captain was a key cog in Guardiola's machine that won a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in the 2022-23 campaign.
Gundogan ended the season with 11 goals – including a 12-second opener in the FA Cup final win over Manchester United – and seven assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
The German international was the first-ever signing by Guardiola at Man City back in 2016 and he has since represented the Citizens 304 times, contributing with 60 goals and 40 assists, and has won a total of 14 trophies.
However, Gundogan is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium as his contract is due to expire at the end of this month, and the midfielder has not be included on the club's retained list.
Gundogan, who is currently away on international duty with Germany, acknowledged at a press conference on Monday that "Barcelona is a beautiful city" but has insisted that "no decision has been made yet" on his future and he is "still in the process" of deciding where he wishes to play next season.
© Reuters
Cash-strapped Barcelona are believed to be interested in recruiting Gundogan on a free transfer, with head coach Xavi keen to bolster his midfield options ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Guardiola, who enjoyed four successful years as Barca manager, has acknowledged that his former club want to sign Gundogan, but hopes that the German will commit his future to Man City.
"I'm aware of Barcelona interest in signing [Gundogan]," Guardiola said as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano. "But we're also very interested in keeping him at the club! I hope he stays with us.
"If Barca succeed in signing him, they will get a great, fantastic player".
"I know Barca love Gundogan and Xavi has called him many times. We want him to continue – if in the end he decides to join Barca, I will tell him that he will have a great time".
Gundogan has also attracted interest from Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, although they are believed to be focused on luring £120m-rated Declan Rice away from West Ham United.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has also responded to reported interest from Barcelona in full-back Joao Cancelo, who is another Citizens star who may have played his final game for the club.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Bayern Munich, but the German giants have opted against triggering the €70m option to purchase the Portuguese on a permanent deal.
© Reuters
Both Barcelona and Arsenal have emerged as potential destinations for Cancelo, who is expected to be sold by Man City this summer.
Asked about Barca's interest in Cancelo, Guardiola said: "We've not received any bid from Barça for Joao Cancelo – no proposals from them".
Guardiola has also suggested that Xavi was "misinformed" on Cancelo's availability in January after the Barca boss stated that Man City would not let the full-back leave on loan.
"He has been misinformed," Guardiola added as quoted by Sport. "He is far from reality. We decided that Joao had to leave and we didn't care where, as if he wanted to go to Manchester United, who are the city rivals.
"I'm not saying Xavi was lied to, but I'm saying he was misinformed. Joao went to Bayern because Bayern wanted him. We didn't get an offer from Barca."
Xavi confirmed Barcelona's interest in Cancelo last month, but it remains to be seen whether the La Liga champions have the finances available to recruit the full-back, who could allegedly be available for around £35m.
