Manchester United given hope in £25m rated midfielder chase

Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan

With the last few days of the transfer window upon us, the Premier League’s big clubs will continue their efforts to sign that certain player that could well lead them to silverware this term.

In the case of Manchester United, Juan Mata has already been added to David Moyes’ contingent, but the Scottish boss is believed to be busy in the market looking for more quality.

One man that has been continually linked with a move to Old Trafford is Ilkay Gundogan – and the Premier League champions have been handed some relatively positive news in their chase for the £25m rated Germany international.

Ilkay Gundogan

Borussia Dortmund will lose key striker Robert Lewandowski in the summer on a free transfer, as the giant Pole moves to arch rivals Bayern Munich. However, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has been vocal in others potentially leaving Signal Iduna Park.

When quizzed on Sky Sports News on whether Gundogan’s sale could be an option, the Dortmund chief admitted he wanted to keep the midfielder, but the club could cope without him.

“Of course you’re always trying to keep your top players, this is completely normal and we want to extend Ilkay’s contract,” he said. “But you also have to see a sale as an opportunity.

“In 2011, we lost Nuri Sahin, who was the Bundesliga player of the year and we recovered.

“Ideally, we manage it so that only one top player goes again this year, namely Robert Lewandowski.”

Gundogan’s contract expires in the summer of 2015, and as such Dortmund could well be pressed into making a decision soon if the playmaker does not extend his current deal.

A tug-of-war between United and Real Madrid is believed to be already underway, with the midfielder in high demand.

Dortmund will be keen to avoid losing another key player on a free transfer, and as such a well-placed bid either now or in the summer could well convince the Bundesliga side to take the money.

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