Barcelona are supposedly growing increasingly optimistic about their chances of signing Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
The Germany international is only under contract with the Premier League champions until the end of June and can walk out of the door for nothing when the season concludes as things stand.
Barcelona have long been linked with a swoop for Gundogan, whose arrival on a free transfer would appeal to the cash-strapped Catalans amid their ongoing economic concerns.
In recent weeks, it has been claimed that Gundogan has made his mind up to join the Blaugrana in the summer window, having been offered a two-year deal by the La Liga leaders.
However, his agent has insisted that no agreement has been reached with any team and his future remains open, while Pep Guardiola is keen to keep the 32-year-old at the Etihad Stadium.
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Guardiola's intervention may prove futile, though, as The Times claims that the Blaugrana are confident of getting a deal done following the latest round of talks.
The report states that Barcelona representatives spoke with Gundogan's camp again last week, and there is a "growing feeling" that he will touch down in Catalonia this summer.
The two-year deal that Xavi's side have put on the table is also understood to include a one-year extension option until 2026, while Man City's renewal offer is not worth as much.
Despite the ever-growing speculation over his next career move, Gundogan remains a trusted member of Guardiola's squad and has posted five goals and five assists from 40 games this season.
Gundogan's teammates voted him as their new captain upon Fernandinho's exit last summer, and he now boasts a total of 54 goals and 38 assists from 293 matches for the Citizens since joining in 2016.
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The ex-Borussia Dortmund man was an unused substitute in the weekend's 3-1 win over Leicester City, but he is expected to return to the first XI for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Bayern Munich, who lost 3-0 at the Etihad last week.
Gundogan could arrive at Camp Nou as a replacement for Sergio Busquets, who is also out of contract in the summer and has not responded to Barca's offer of a renewal amid interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia.
Gundogan is not the only Man City midfielder that Barcelona have their eye on, as the Spanish title-chasers continue to be credited with an interest in Bernardo Silva, whose desire to leave was made public by Guardiola last year.
Silva ultimately remained at the Etihad to play another integral role this season, and the 28-year-old is contracted to the club until 2025, but he admitted in January that he would still welcome a new challenge elsewhere.
Barcelona have apparently been priced out of a move for Silva, though, as Man City have slapped a £70m price tag on the head of the Portugal international to fend off interest from Xavi's team.
Ben Knapton
