Barcelona ‘have closed’ the signing of Manchester City captain for the summer – report

Barcelona have already closed the signing of Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan for the summer transfer window, according to journalist Jose Alvarez.

The Catalans are in the market for reinforcements in the middle of the park for the summer as question marks remain over the continuity of club captain Sergio Busquets. Furthermore, Franck Kessie’s future also remains uncertain as he has failed to adapt at the club.

Amidst this, Barcelona have been looking for cost-effective options to reinforce their midfield at the end of the season. Given their financial situation, another dip in the free-transfer pool remains very much on the agenda.

And reports in England earlier this week insisted that the Blaugrana were seriously interested in signing Gundogan at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old midfielder is in the final six months of his contract with the Premier League champions and has not signed a new deal as of yet.

After seven years at the Etihad, Gundogan could be open to a new challenge, especially with there being a strong possibility that his prominence in Pep Guardiola’s side could reduce ahead of the new campaign, after all City have been linked with the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

And now, Jose Alvarez is reporting that Barcelona have already closed the signing of the Manchester City captain for June, when his contract with the English giants runs out.

A vastly experienced player who has achieved success at the highest level, the German international can be a handy short-term addition at Camp Nou until Barcelona find a long-term heir to Busquets.

Given that there is still time left on Gundogan’s contract and Guardiola’s own recent extension at Manchester City, the possibility of the midfielder renewing with the English champions cannot be ruled out completely.

So, the reports of Barcelona already closing his signing should be taken with a pinch of salt at the moment.

It must also be noted that Xavi Hernandez’s side have also been linked with a move for Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan in a possible swap deal involving Kessie.