Pep Guardiola has opened the door to Ilkay Gundogan staying at Manchester City by saying he’d ‘like to work with him in the future’.
The German international is facing an uncertain future with his contract at the Etihad Stadium due to expire this summer.
With Barcelona heavily linked with a move, the 32-year-old has some high-level options available to him, one of which is staying at City.
Gundogan has scored 56 goals in 298 appearances for the Citizens, including seven in 45 games this term.
Two of those goals game in the 2-1 victory over Leeds United in which the midfielder dictated the game, leading to reporters asking about the prospect of him sticking around.
Answering those queries, the City boss made his own opinion quite clear.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: “I said about the contract, the club is involved and knows my opinion.
“They are above me, we take the decision together, good and bad.
“It’s not necessary if he scored two incredible goals, how good he played today, reading the spaces, he has everything – incredible run in the final third, how intelligent he is.
“It’s not necessary to score two goals to know exactly how I like this player and enjoying working with him and how I’d like to work with him in the future.”
