Arsenal have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Catalan giants remain favorites to sign the 32-year-old when his contract at City comes to an end on 30 June but according to German newspaper BILD, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are plotting a last-minute move to hijack the deal after Gundogan’s sensational run of four goals in his last two matches have all but ended the Gunners’ hopes of winning their first league title in 19 years.

Mikel Arteta wants to reunite with Ilkay Gundogan at Arsenal

Arteta worked with Gundogan for three and a half seasons whilst assistant head coach under Pep Guardiola at Man City and according to reports in Germany is set to offer the midfield maestro a contract to reunite at the Emirates Stadium. The German midfielder is still desperately wanted by Guardiola, however, who said in a recent interview, “I personally want Ilkay to be here next season”.