Ilkay Gundogan 'prefers Barcelona over Arsenal move'

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan would reportedly prefer a move to Barcelona over Arsenal this summer.

Gundogan will decide on his Manchester City future after the Champions League final, with his contract at the Etihad up at the end of the season.

Spanish outlet Sport claims that Barcelona is the preferred destination for Gundogan, as he is looking to reside in Spain, quashing any hopes Man City may have of holding on to the midfielder.

Gundogan has been in eye-catching form for City as they chase down a historic treble this season, featuring in both legs of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, while also netting back-to-back braces in the Premier League against Everton and Leeds United.

The Mirror claims that the recently-crowned English champions are still hopeful of convincing the German to stay, while Arsenal are also interested in Gundogan, as manager Mikel Arteta knows him well from his time as City assistant.

The report further states that Arteta and Gundogan are set to have a private meeting where the Arsenal boss will try to sell his ambitions to the 32-year-old in hope of pulling off a major coup in the transfer market.

After signing Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from Man City last season, Gundogan would bring more title-winning experience to Arsenal.

With La Liga champions Barcelona lurking though, Arteta has a tense battle ahead to try to persuade the midfielder to sign.