BARCELONA will switch their sights to a summer raid for Ilkay Gundogan after giving up on trying to land Bernardo Silva.
The Spanish league leaders are long-term admirers of Bernardo, and hoped to land the Manchester City midfielder in the next window.
GettyBarcelona are planning a swoop for Ilkay Gundogan this summer on a free transfer[/caption]
But Barca have accepted that they will be unable to meet a likely asking price of around £60 million, and have quickly turned their attention to Gundogan.
The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season.
And the German has promised City he will make a decision on his plans shortly.
Gundogan is happy in Manchester, but although City would also like him to stay, it is understood they are only offering a one-year deal.
And Barca have already let the player’s representatives know they are keen to take him to the Nou Camp on a contract double the length.
Gundogan grabbed his fifth goal of the season in City’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday.
The star has played nearly 300 games for the Cityzens since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
He was the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era.
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Gundogan was elected as club captain for the current campaign by his City team-mates after Fernandinho left.
He has won four Premier League titles, four League Cups and the FA Cup during his time at the Etihad.