Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan linked with Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan

Spanish newspaper AS are reporting that Barcelona are preparing a bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gündogan in the near future as the Catalan giants look to find a long-term replacement for legendary midfielder, Xavi. The Dortmund midfielder has been linked with the likes of Man United and Arsenal, according to The Express.

The Germany international has been one of the club’s best performers in recent times and has been a part of Dortmund’s rise from the ashes under manager Jürgen Klopp. This form has attracted the attention of La Liga winners Barcelona as they look to replace their ageing vice-captain, Xavi.

Gündogan, 23, has been out injured since the first game of the Bundesliga campaign and could be out until the turn of the year. Klopp will be looking forward to having one of his key players back and is unlikely to settle for anything less than the fee Mario Gotze left for in the last summer. However, with Gündogan stalling on a new deal and his current contract running out in 2015, Dortmund may be forced to count their losses and bring in their own replacement before they’re left short in the midfield.

Known for his accurate passing and sublime technical abilities, Gündogan would be the perfect heir to Xavi’s throne in Barcelona’s midfield. Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists could find themselves with a fight on their hands if they want to sign the playmaker; Real Madrid and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in the midfielder, but with the prospect of playing in one of the greatest passing sides in history, it’s hard to think Gündogan would go for anything other than Barcelona.

Los Cules could see another Germany international heading to the Nou Camp by the summer. Marc-André ter Stegen has been mooted as the possible successor to Victor Valdes after the Barcelona academy product has decided to leave on a free at the end of his contract. ter Stegen has been linked with the top club’s all over Europe, but his fine distribution and sweeper-keeper mentality would make him the ideal fit for the Catalan club.

Ilkay Gündogan registered a 87% pass completion rate in the Bundesliga last season, no Dortmund player was more accurate with their passing.