Pep Guardiola has slammed Twitter accounts for spreading rumours of a possible exit for Ilkay Gundogan, insisting he wants the midfielder to stay put at the Etihad.
It is not every day that you find managers coming out during press conferences and talking about rumours emerging on Twitter. This is the second time Pep Guardiola has been surprised by media speculation, with the earlier one happening with Fernandinho, who declared his intention to leave Manchester City, which the Catalan manager knew nothing about.
This time, it is Ilkay Gundogan, who has reportedly been tipped to leave Manchester Cityin the summer. The German midfielder will enter the final year of his deal in July, and rumours are rife about his departure.
As soon as the news broke out, Arsenal and Barcelona were among the clubs linked with the Gundogan. The 31-year-old is a solid option for both clubs to consider, while Atletico Madrid are also reportedly weighing up a move.
Guardiola has now rubbished those rumours, insisting that Twitter accounts have managed to spread the news, taking a situation out of context. It has been suggested that Gundogan was absent from squad duties due to his marriage. According to the Manchester City manager, that has been the root cause of all the “fake news” surrounding Gundogan.
Guardiola: “If you ask me personally, I want Ilkay Gundogan to stay here ar Man City. There is no one thinking he cannot be here”. ? #MCFC
“If he wants to leave, as a club we don't know it”, Guardiola added via @City_Xtra.
Pep also confirmed that Fernandinho is set to leave. pic.twitter.com/cYZBH4ASNU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 20, 2022
Guardiola’s comments were quoted by Goal, with the Manchester City manager insisting he wants Gundogan to remain at the Etihad next season. However, there were no giveaways about the German international’s contractual situation, which may allow Manchester City to cash in on him in the summer transfer window.
Guardiola said, “He’s getting married, congrats for that. He had permission to go, I congratulate him. I want him here next season, there’s no intention for him not to be here. Now he’s married, he might want a new experience. All the great Twitter accounts say he’s going to leave but I didn’t know it. That’s the situation right now.”
Manchester City face Aston Villa in their final league game, and Gundogan should be part of the matchday squad. A win will guarantee yet another Premier League title for the reigning champions, while dropping points could enable Liverpool to usurp them to the top prize on Sunday.