Transfer Talk: Arsenal want to make Gundogan a Gunner

Cian Cheesbrough

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Ilkay Gundogan lifted the Premier League title with Manchester City last Sunday

Arsenal are interested in pursuing a move for Ilkay Gundogan if the midfielder cannot agree a new deal with Manchester City.

The 32-year-old has played a key role in City's pursuit of the Treble but is out of contract this summer and has so far resisted his club's attempt to tie him down.

ESPN say the Gunners are keen to take advantage of the uncertainty by offering him a switch to the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta is looking to add two new midfielders to his squad, with Granit Xhaka poised to depart for Bayer Leverkusen.

West Ham captain Declan Rice and Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo are among their targets but out-of-contract Gundogan would be the far cheaper option.

Manager Arteta worked with the 66-cap international during three years as City assistant and his wealth of experience would hand a big boost to hopes of another title challenge next term.

A move would make him the third player to leave the Etihad for North London in the last year after Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Mirror report Arsenal are ready to offload as many as eight first-team players this summer, with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Rob Holding also on their way out.

Other high-profile targets include fellow City man Joao Cancelo and James Maddison of relegation-threatened Leicester.