Manchester United look set to miss out on Ilkay Gundogan, after the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s agent indicated the German international could yet remain at the Westfalenstadion this summer.
Along with Bastian Schweinsteiger, the 24-year-old is considered to be one of Louis Van Gaal’s main targets this summer, as the United manager looks to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season.
Having recovered from a serious injury, Gundogan had attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona earlier this summer, with the latter looking on the verge of signing the German midfielder late last month.
With the Catalans withdrawing from the race earlier this month, allegedly because of Gundogan’s salary demands, United looked set to secure the signing of the mercurial midfielder, who was described as a “modern Xavi” by Dortmund legend Karl-Heinz Riedle.
However, Gundogan is increasingly likely to remain in the Bundesliga this summer, with his agent admitting that, following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as manager, the 24-year-old could commit his future to the 2013 Champions League runners-up.
“This is clearly an option again,” his agent and uncle Ilhan Gundogan told German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
“There are several things in favour of Ilkay finding back to his old level and doing that in a familiar, comfortable environment.”
With Michael Carrick soon turning 34, United are desperate to add talent and depth to their midfield, particularly as, should they reach the group stages of the Champions League, they will be playing more often than they did last season.
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