Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has suggested that despite recently extending his contract at the German club for a year he is still open to a move, with Arsenal thought to be interested.
Gundogan stated in an interview with Kicker: “You can always see from two different perspectives: some will say, okay, he has extended, and if he should go next year, the club will therefore still get a lot of money. So it’s all good.
“And others say: Again, it’s only one year.”
In what could be seen as a classic case of blurring the lines between wanting to stay or go, Gundogan says that although “I appreciate this wonderful club very much… my life plan also looks at some time with a new challenge.”
With the German international also reportedly attracting interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG and Manchester United, Arsenal have got a fight on their hands if they do decide to go for the player, although it is thought that Gundogan’s wage demands may have put off the Spanish and German champions.
Whether Arsene Wenger is willing to meet them, especially after the rise of Francis Coquelin in that deep midfield spot is doubtful – especially when taking into account the Dortmund midfielder’s recent injury record, which saw him ruled out for 14 months in 2014, leading to questions regarding his current fitness. Wenger may, however, be willing to take a risk on a player who has over 100 appearances for Dortmund and is a senior member of the German national team.
