Manchester City are prepared to lose Ilkay Gundogan on a free next summer if he does not sign a new deal with the treble winners.
Gundogan has not agreed new terms with City, despite 12 months of talks, although they remain confident the Germany midfielder will pledge his future to the Etihad.
They plan further negotiations with Gundogan’s camp in the next fortnight and are relaxed about his contract situation.
City’s top brass have spoken to Pep Guardiola and have decided not to cash in on him this summer, as is their usual policy, even though he can leave for nothing in 12 months’ time when his contract expires.
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City paid Borussia Dortmund £20million for Gundogan three years ago and feel he will have provided good value for money even if he does eventually go on a Bosman next summer.
Gundogan, 28, is keeping his options open because he has not always been a regular starter during his three seasons at City.
He made 36 starts during the Blues’ historic Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup successes partly because of injuries to Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne and Guardiola is keen for him to stay.
Gundogan feels his prospects could be limited next season and his starting chances could be hit if City land Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo and they are targeting a new holding midfielder this summer.
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Rodrigo’s release clause at Atletico is just under £62million or 70million euros and he has four years left on his contract.
Atletico are aware of the growing interest in Rodrigo and want to reward the 22-year-old Spanish international with a new contract for his impressive first season with them.
Rodrigo made 46 appearances in all competitions for Atletico this season, scoring twice, and the Spanish side are desperate to keep their young upcoming star.
