Barcelona Transfer News: Ilkay Gundogan Rejects Blaugrana Move, Top Rumours

Ilkay Gundogan has told Barcelona he is on his way to Manchester City in the summer, according to reports from Spain. 

Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport reported the highly rated Germany international will depart Borussia Dortmund to join Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, after maintaining contact with Barca since the summer over a prospective transfer.

Gundogan will be presented as one of Guardiola's first captures for the Sky Blues after the Catalan coach opted to take the reins at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign, according to Miguelsanz. The midfielder nearly signed for manager Luis Enrique in the summer transfer window, after BVB and the player "reached a pre-agreement" with the Blaugrana.

However, the news of Gundogan's proposed departure from the Westfalenstadion by Miguelsanz was greeted with caution by Dortmund, per their official Twitter account:

Boris Streubel/Getty Images

The player has often been in the news regarding his transfer status over many years and has been recently linked with three other major European clubs. 

According to Sport-Express.ru editor Artur Petrosyan, Gundogan will get the chance to move to Italy as well as the English and Spanish leagues:

Gundogan is the type of box-to-box midfielder Barca would happily purchase as they look to round off their illustrious squad. 

The focus provided by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar allows Barca to play more defensive-minded individuals behind them, and Gundogan's skill set would fit the mandate.

Here is a video of the player's ability:

In other news, Real Madrid inserted a clause into Angel Di Maria's contract when he left for Manchester United that prevented him from joining Barcelona if he exited the Red Devils.

Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror reported whistle-blowing website Football Leaks claimed Los Blancos included a penalty term in the transfer deal of €40 million if he moved back to Spain by the summer of 2016. 

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

The deal restricted Di Maria's chances of returning to La Liga, allowing Paris Saint-Germain the opportunity to take the player once United decided to sell him. 

At present, the potential loss of Gundogan's signature will mean little to Enrique, whose side are on the crest of a wave as their MSN trinity of Messi, Suarez and Neymar continue to flourish.

The German has suffered with serious injury during his time in Dortmund, and with Arda Turan now at the Camp Nou, Barca already have the perfect midfielder to serve their current needs.