According to Crickex App, Arsenal have expressed strong interest in signing Ilkay Gundogan, though the German midfielder currently leans toward a move to Barcelona. In football, it’s not about where you start — it’s about chasing the promise of tomorrow. At 32, Gundogan is set to become a free agent this summer, and with no extension yet agreed upon with Manchester City, his future remains uncertain. Reports suggest that Arsenal are preparing to launch an official approach in the coming weeks.
This season, Arsenal were arguably the side closest to dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Crickex App reveals that City have not given up hope of retaining Gundogan and remain in contract negotiations. Just last month, the midfielder stated that discussions about his future were ongoing. But that hasn’t dampened Arsenal’s ambitions. Mikel Arteta, eager to reshape his midfield, sees Gundogan as a perfect fit — especially given their previous working relationship during Arteta’s time at Manchester City.
Despite Arteta’s optimism, Gundogan appears more emotionally drawn to Barcelona. The Catalan club reportedly made contact with him before other suitors stepped in. While that connection may weigh heavily on Gundogan’s decision, Arteta remains hopeful he can persuade the veteran to bring his talents to the Emirates. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s top transfer priority this summer remains Declan Rice. The West Ham captain is viewed as the cornerstone of Arsenal’s midfield rebuild.
As Crickex App notes, Arsenal’s recent recruitment success — landing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from City last summer — played a pivotal role in their return to title contention. These moves reflect a strategy of smart upgrades rather than radical change. No matter how wild the dream, eventually it has to take shape. For Arsenal, signing either Gundogan or Rice would be more than just a statement — it would be a declaration of intent to stay among the Premier League elite.