There is hope for Arsenal to land Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan after the German international admitted everything is ‘open’ regarding his future at the Bundesliga club.
The 23-year-old, currently sidelined with a back injury, is expected to attract major interest from a number of top European clubs with only 18 months left to run on his existing deal at Dortmund.
Arsenal are among those keen in his services, but Dortmund have already offered the German a contract renewal as they do not want him to follow in the footsteps of Mario Gotze, who joined Bayern Munich last summer or Robert Lewandowski, who will join their fierce rivals at the end of the season.
But while Gundogan remains focused on recovering from his current injury, he says he will make a decision about his long-term future before the season ends.
Quoted in German newspaper Bild, Gundogan said:
‘My priority remains to recover as quickly as possible. About my future, nothing is decided. First I will talk with Borussia, but everything is completely open [regarding my future].
‘Soon I will make a decision that is well thought out. The priority for Dortmund and for me is my recovery, to return to my [level of] performance.’
Gundogan is believed to be valued at around £25 million and should he refuse to extend his stay at Dortmund beyond his current deal then the German club could look to cash in on the dynamic midfielder at the end of the current season rather than risk losing him on a free the following summer.
Arsene Wenger and co. would be wise to keep an eye on his situation at Dortmund.
