Manchester United and Barcelona target Ai??lkay GA?ndoAYan agrees contract extension with Borussia Dortmund

One of the enduring transfer sagas of the past few months appears to be reaching a premature conclusion, with the 24-year-old midfielder reportedly agreeing a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund

Almost two months to the day since Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund announced that star midfielder lkay GA?ndoAYan would not be extending his contract beyond its current length (June 2016), German national Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag a sister-publication of the better-known Bild a have reported that the Manchester United and Barcelona target has agreed to extend his contract by a further year, up to 2017. .

According to Bild, a a secret meetinga between GA?ndoAYan and new Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel was held, and it appears as though its purpose was to resolve the midfieldera s future a which now appears to be at Dortmund for at least another season.

Even if the 1 year extension to his contract is confirmed by Dortmund, it is unlikely to deter his potential suitors from coming back with offers further down the line. In fact, the decision could be ideal for Spanish giants Barcelona, who have a transfer ban this summer and will not be allowed to register players until 2016.

The likely cause of the U-turn could well be that both Manchester United and Barcelona a reportedly the front-runners for his signature a decided against taking the gamble, not just due to GA?ndoAYana s indifferent form, but also his serious back injury a the pernicious effects of which could well have affected his form, and by extension, his confidence.

Manchester United have reportedly sealed the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton, and continue to chase Bayern Municha s Bastian Schweinsteiger, and it appears as though their interest in GA?ndoAYan will not manifest itself in the form of an official bid for the midfielder this summer.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have their eyes set on Juventus super-star Paul Pogba a with the Catalan giants publicly declaring their interest in the 21-year-old midfielder. As such, it could well be that GA?ndoAYana s stock in the current market is not as high in reality as it appears to be based on the rumours regarding his future.

Or, as is equally likely, Europea s biggest clubs might just be holding back until they see the German international play a full season with Borussia Dortmund at a high level, and without major injuries, before deciding to make a serious offer for the 24-year-old next summer, or further down the line.

For now, GA?ndoAYan is likely to follow in Marco Reusa foot-steps and commit at least his immediate future to Borussia Dortmund.