Ilkay Gundogan is “happy” at Manchester City and has no intention of pushing for a summer move to Barcelona, amid talk that the Liga giants want him to replace Andres Iniesta.
Those at Camp Nou are in the market for another creative midfielder after seeing a club legend depart for J. League side Vissel Kobe.
Attention has turned to Germany international Gundogan, with the 27-year-old having tasted title success in the Bundesliga and Premier League while earning 26 caps for his country.
He does face fierce competition for places at the Etihad Stadium, with the promise of more to come as City chase down the likes of Jorginho, but he is a favoured option of Pep Guardiola.
Gundogan made 46 appearances for City across all competitions last season and, as he remains tied to terms through to 2020, will only be on the move this summer if he is deemed surplus to requirements.
He told Arab News on the transfer rumours: “I have plenty of time on my current contract, two years to go.
“But it also depends on the club if they want me to stay. Everyone can see and feel I am really happy here.
“With the way we play, with the people around me, in the city, in the community, I really enjoy it here and really enjoy my life. I’m happy.
“It was great to win the Premier League title, but there are plenty of things still to achieve.
“We are committed to this every year at City, not just the players, but the coaching staff, to try to win the biggest trophies.
“That’s what we will be trying to do next season and the season after.”
Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a £20 million ($26m) deal back in the summer of 2016.
Knee ligament damage brought his debut campaign to a premature close, but he returned from nine months on the sidelines in September 2017 to become a key figure in a record-breaking team which collected Premier League and Carabao Cup honours.
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