Arsenal and Manchester United have been handed a transfer blow, as Barcelona are eyeing a deal for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
The 24-year-old is poised to leave the Westfalenstadion at the end of the season after the club announced that he would not be renewing his contract with the club, and there are a number of top clubs chasing his signature.
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Gundogan: Manchester United & Arsenal target will leave current club in the summer
Barcelona, according to reports cited in the Daily Express, are the latest club to have joined the transfer battle, as they set out to replace midfield legend Xavi.
The Spanish giants are banned from any transfer activity until January 2016, but could still look to encourage the Germany international to a later switch to the Champions League finalists – having been impressed by his performances since returning from a serious spinal injury that left him on the sidelines for 14 months.
The midfielder’s technical skill and vision combined with his ability to play a deeper playmaking role could make him a fine replacement to Xavi at the Camp Nou.
However, Arsenal and Manchester United will surely have the upper-hand on any transfer business as a result of Barca’s market ban.