Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan will not make a decision on his future until after the Champions League final on June 10, according to a report.
The 32-year-old is yet to agree to a new deal beyond the end of the season and will be able to walk away from the Etihad in a few weeks' time as things stand.
Barcelona were initially considered the frontrunners to sign Gundogan, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also thought to be keen on a reunion with the Germany international.
Despite his advancing years, Gundogan's contributions have proven invaluable during the Citizens' successful title push, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund man scoring braces against Leeds United and Everton this month.
Gundogan, who was voted captain by his teammates in 2022 following Fernandinho's departure, has also started 11 Champions League matches for Pep Guardiola's side en route to the final, where they will meet Inter Milan in Istanbul next month.
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Gundogan is expected to lead his side out as captain against the Nerazzurri as Man City bid to finally get their hands on an elusive first European crown - potentially as part of a domestic and continental treble - but speculation over his future continues to rumble on in the background.
However, with the Champions League and FA Cup finals still to come, the Evening Standard claims that the midfielder will not think about his next career move until the season is done and dusted.
The report states that Man City have only offered Gundogan a one-year extension so far, whereas the German is seeking a firm two years to pen fresh terms at the Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona are believed to be willing to bow to Gundogan's demands, while Arsenal would likely do the same as Arteta aims to reunite with another one of his former Man City colleagues.
The Spaniard prised Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko away from Man City last summer, and both players immediately became key cogs in the team, despite various injury concerns.
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While Arsenal ultimately fell short in the title race, Man City chiefs are supposedly reluctant to sell more players to the North London club, although that will mean nothing for their pursuit of Gundogan on a free transfer if he calls time on his Etihad career.
Gundogan was Man City's first signing of the Guardiola era in 2016, joining in a £23.4m deal, and he has since amassed 58 goals and 40 assists in 301 games for the Citizens in all tournaments.
The 32-year-old has scored nine goals and set up seven more in 48 appearances during the current campaign, winning his fifth Premier League title to complement one FA Cup, four EFL Cups and two Community Shields.
Barcelona will bid farewell to long-serving lynchpin Sergio Busquets this summer, while Arsenal are expected to lose Granit Xhaka in a £13m deal to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka has confirmed that a decision on his future will be announced before Sunday's Premier League finale with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his regular midfield partner Thomas Partey is also believed to be attracting interest from Italy.
As well as Gundogan, Arsenal are hopeful of pulling off a double swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and West Ham United's Declan Rice, which could cost the Gunners as much as £160m.
Ben Knapton
