Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ilkay Gundogan and Juan Cuadrado

Barcelona are targeting Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado, according to reports.

Per Mundo Deportivo (via Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail), Germany international Gundogan has passed a medical in Germany "after a verbal transfer agreement was reached between the two clubs."

Gundogan's contract expires in 2016, so Dortmund may be tempted to cash in on the player while they can rather than allow him to depart for free next summer, per Peter McVitie of Goal.com.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Sporting Director Michael Zorc spoke in April on the possibility of Gundogan leaving.

Speaking to Kicker, he said (via McVitie): "Gundogan's situation isn't straightforward, because his contract expires in 2016. There will be a decision soon."

The Guardian's Raphael Honigstein notes that Gundogan is not set to renew his deal with the club:

"

Official: Gündogan will not extend his contract beyond 2016. So what's next?

— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) April 30, 2015"

Honigstein is also full of praise for Gundogan but believes Dortmund would be wise to sell him:

The 24-year-old has struggled with injury, missing virtually the entire campaign last year and the start of this season.

Gundogan has managed three goals and five assists in all competitions this season, as well as averaging 86 per cent passing accuracy and completing 65 per cent of his take-ons in the Bundesliga, per Squawka.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The box-to-box midfielder would not be a direct replacement for the departing Xavi Hernandez, but he is a creative and hard-working figure who can perform different roles in the Blaugrana's midfield depending on who would be lining up alongside him in a particular game.

As WhoScored point out, he is certainly a strong passer of the ball and often regains possession for his team:

Given his age, Gundogan could continue to develop his craft and would no doubt be a strong player for Barcelona for years to come.

Cuadrado is another target for Luis Enrique.

According to Fichajes.net (via George Bellshaw for Metro), Barcelona are looking to Cuadrado to replace Dani Alves and are willing to pay £24.8 million to acquire his signature.

Though Cuadrado is a winger rather than a full-back, the Colombian could at least replace Alves' attacking contribution.

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Alves has 10 assists in all competitions this season. Though Cuadrado has had a torrid time since joining Chelsea in January, he did manage six goals and four assists for Fiorentina earlier this season, while last year he scored 13 and created eight in all competitions.

Having failed to fit in with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, a fresh start could get the winger's career back on track, while for the Blues, to make back almost all their money would represent excellent business considering the difficulties he's had.

On the defensive side, Alves may not be the most defensively minded full-back but is still significantly more competent than Cuadrado.

The Brazilian has won 47 per cent of his tackles this season, while Cuadrado won just 28 per cent of his tackles for Fiorentina in Serie A this year, per Squawka.

Ultimately, Cuadrado would be an unfit replacement for Alves, and for £24.8 million, Barca would be far better served targeting a specialised right-back who would not compromise them at the back.

Gundogan, however, is ready to make the step up to Barcelona and would most likely flourish alongside Andres Iniesta and Co. in the Blaugrana's midfield.