Mikel Arteta is ‘really pushing’ to sign experienced international

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According to reports, Arsenal have been really pushing to sign Ilkay Gundogan in the last few hours as he decides on his future.

Since Granit Xhaka is on the verge of leaving the club, which is set to be confirmed only once Arsenal bring in a replacement, Mikel Arteta has already identified his successor and it looks to be Manchester City’s captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Having signed for the Citizens in 2016 and winning five Premier League titles in seven years, it appears the German is ready for his next challenge after rejecting Manchester City’s latest contract offer. Mikel Arteta knows the 32-year-old well after their time together at Manchester City and the Arsenal boss is keen to bring him to the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season.

According to Roger Torello, Barcelona are confident the Manchester City captain will accept their offer, however in the last few hours Arsenal have been really pushing to convince Ilkay Gundogan to join Mikel Arteta in North London ahead of next season. The German is one of the most in-demand players on the market in the early stages of the summer transfer window, as he is yet to renew his contract at Manchester City after winning the treble last season.

Last week the German international had informed Mikel Arteta, as well as other clubs, that he needed a little more time to make his decision on his future ahead of next season.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola want to keep the 32-year-old, however Gundogan rejected the latest contract offer as he is attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs around Europe, including Barcelona and PSG.

READ MORE: Arsenal focusing on securing four more deals after Declan Rice move is ‘completed’.

Per Mertesacker recently revealed the Manchester City captain has never stopped having contact with Mikel Arteta, even though he’s now the manager of their title rivals. Arsenal’s head of academy also revealed he thinks the Gunners are in a pretty good position to get Ilkay Gundogan this summer, if there is a deal to be done.

Arsenal are the youngest team in the league which has shown in this recent weeks as their end-of-season collapse has handed Manchester City their third Premier League title in a row. However Mikel Arteta is keen for the same not to happen next year, and you don’t get a more experienced winner than the Manchester City captain.

Arsenal are ready to sign Gundogan if he is to leave Manchester City on a free transfer ahead of next season.

So far this season, Gundogan has played 30 games in the Premier League, scoring eight goals and recording four assists. Five of his eight goals have come in the last two months, which have been crucial to Manchester City’s great form towards the end of the season. He’s a player who loves the pressure which could be a huge asset for Arsenal next season, if the Gunners can get a deal done for the German.

NEXT ARTICLE: Mikel Arteta turns down PSG with new contract being prepared for the Arsenal boss.