Pep Guardiola gives latest on Ilkay Gundogan’s future at Man City

Pep Guardiola has said Ilkay Gundogan’s future is ‘up to him and his agent’ as the German international enters the final few months of his contract at Manchester City.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who was Guardiola’s first ever signing at the Etihad Stadium, is out of contract in East Manchester at the end of the current campaign.

The City captain has so far remained coy regarding his future beyond the current campaign amid reports from Spain suggesting that the German could become the latest Blues star to switch the Etihad for the Camp Nou.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola seemed to imply he would like his captain to remain in Manchester beyond the summer.

“I think I know my opinion about it okay. What Ilkay has done against Aston VIlla [on the final day of] last season he can do whatever he wants,” joked the City boss. “So he knows exactly my opinion about him. The club knows it and it is a question for him and his agent.

“What is going to happen I’m pretty sure is going to be good for him. Really we want how he is behaving how he has behaved all his life in Manchester, but what is going to happen? This kind of thing belongs to the club and the player.”

Gundogan has made 284 appearances for City since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million in 2016.

The German international has won 11 trophies including four Premier League titles with Manchester City, and was named club captain following the departure of veteran midfielder Fernandinho.

He scored a memorable brace in May, helping the Blues come back from 2-0 down on the final day of the season to retain their Premier League crown with a dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

The German has featured on 31 occasions for City so far this season and scored during a recent win over Villa at the Etihad Stadium.