Don Hutchison says Ilkay Gundogan ‘turns into prime Zidane’ for Manchester City as the Treble-winning midfielder is set to snub Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for Xavi’s Barcelona.
The 32-year-old’s contract at the Etihad is going to expire this month and there was huge interest in the player, mainly from the Camp Nou and the Emirates, but it’s now been claimed that he will join Barcelona on a free transfer, as reported by Sky Sports.
Former Premier League midfielder Hutchison lauded the qualities Ilkay Gundogan has and how his footballing IQ is ‘off-the-charts’, as he told ESPN.
“I think he is a player, if you are Guardiola, you bend over backwards to get him to sign a new contract because his football IQ is off-the-charts,” said Hutchison.
“He turns into prime Zidane with about three months to go every single season. He is reliable. Humble. I was listening to the (Man City) owner talking about him and they are desperate to try and keep him on because he makes them tick.”
What is Arsneal’s loss is Barcelona’s gain
After winning the La Liga title last season, which included a defensive masterclass from Xavi Hernandez’s side, the club’s next quest is to start talking the talk in Europe again.
They got knocked out of the group stages of the Champions League last season and that simply can’t happen again for the Catalan giants.
But a player of Gundogan’s ilk, mindset and experience is certainly going to elevate this Barcelona side that has two young guns in Gavi and Pedri that will feed off the German’s qualities like a sponge.
Rice incoming for Arsenal?
The West Ham United captain is Arsenal’s number one target, as both clubs try to thrash out a deal for the England international.
Given that this transfer story has been well-documented, then Arsenal can’t afford to mess up here and not give West Ham what they want.
If they don’t, then before players can return for pre-season, there will be a negative precedent set at the club.
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