Arsenal Transfer News: Ilkay Gundogan Deadline Rumours, Paulo Dybala Blow

Borussia Dortmund have apparently given Ilkay Gundogan until Friday to make a decision on his long-term future, with Arsenal and Manchester United both reportedly in the hunt for the German midfielder.

According to Will Giles of Metro, Bild claim the Ruhr Valley club have offered Gundogan a new contract that would see him extend his stay at the Westfalenstadion up until 2019. However, with one year left on the player's deal, according to the piece, Dortmund are willing to sell up should negotiations draw out into the weekend.

Here are the kind of qualities he would bring to Arsenal's midfield:

Giles claims the Gunners are "firmly" in the race for the midfielder, with Bild suggesting Dortmund are looking to fend off interest from an "especially" interested Arsenal. It's easy to see why BVB are keen to keep hold of their man and why Arsene Wenger would be interested in a player of his style.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Gundogan is a superb technical talent and the kind of playmaker who would flourish at Arsenal. He moves the ball quickly and boasts superb in-game intelligence, and his intensity off the ball has made him a mainstay of Jurgen Klopp's finest Dortmund sides, as they've enjoyed a sparkling renaissance under his tutelage.

However, as Bleacher Report German football expert Clark Whitney noted earlier in the campaign, circumstances dictate he could well be sold:

At this juncture, it's United who are in more dire need of a player like Gundogan, though. Arsenal have a clutch of quality options in the middle of the park, and although someone of the German's quality would still probably command a starting spot, it's not a pertinent issue for the Gunners.

Lars Baron/Getty Images

If Arsenal can pick him up for a bargain, then there would be no harm in signing him. But for the player himself, United—who don't have quite as many midfield options—can probably afford him more reassurances about getting regular first-team football plus a position of much greater significance within the squad.

Paulo Dybala Prefers Serie A Stay

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

According to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, sources close to Palermo sensation Paulo Dybala have claimed he would prefer to stay in Italy, potentially scuppering Arsenal and Manchester City's chances of bringing him to the Premier League.

As noted in the article, Juventus seem to be in the box seat for the player, but they aren't the only Italian giants poised to bid for his services it would seem. Indeed, Internazionale Sporting Director Javier Zanetti has revealed the Nerazzurri will do their utmost to land him, per Malyon's piece:

"

Good players always fit in at good teams. If we have even the slightest chance to sign him, we will go for it. But we have to be realistic. We must respect the FFP rules.

I am not surprised by his superb performances. I saw him play in Argentina before and his ability already stood out then. He has been performing very consistently this season and he has a bright future ahead of him.

"

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

If Dybala was to move to English football, the Gunners would be a perfect fit. The intricate talents of the striker would dovetail wonderfully with Arsenal's clutch of midfield maestros. Bleacher Report's Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas took a closer look at how he would potentially fit in at the Emirates.

The Bianconeri would be a brilliant team for Dybala to continue developing, though, and for a young man who moved around a lot earlier in his career, some stability would only serve to enrich his progression. Playing with the likes of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo would be a marvellous experience, too.

Arsenal have a functional forward in Olivier Giroud and a player who has enjoyed an excellent season, meaning they are not in desperate need of a striker at this juncture. But a mercurial player in Dybala's mould would certainly give their offensive forays a refreshing edge as they go in search of major honours next season.