La Liga champions Barcelona look set to beat Arsenal and Manchester United to the signing of highly-rated German international Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports in Mail Online.
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The 24-year-old is believed to have passed a medical with the Spanish giants and, despite the club’s transfer embargo, there seems to be a deal in place for Gundogan to join in the summer but won’t be able to play a competitive fixture until January next year.
He will be expected to fill the boots of legendary midfielder Xavi, who is set to depart the Camp Nou at the end of the season.
News of this potential transfer will be a blow to Arsenal and United after reports earlier in the month from the Mail Online claimed the Gunners had made contact with Gundogan’s family ahead of a summer transfer.
Meanwhile the Red Devils were reported to have agreed a deal with the Bundesliga outfit for the influential midfielder last month, but those rumours were immediately dismissed by Dortmund chief Michael Zorc via the Mirror Online.