Dortmund tell Gundogan to make his mind up about a move away.
Borussia Dortmund are growing increasingly impatient with Ilkay Gundogan as the midfielder decides to leave for Arsenal, Manchester United or Real Madrid, according to the Mirror.
The German has been strongly linked with a transfer from the Westfalenstadion for some time and Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has spoken out about the matter.
“Ilkay is of interest to other clubs,” Zorc is reported to have told German daily Kicker, as quoted by Sport1.
“The other party needs to understand that BVB needs clarity.
“Our top priority is to find out if there is a willingness to prolong the contract.”
This is becoming a common soundbite from the 2012 Bundesliga champions, with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke having this to say back at the start of December.
“It is our absolute desire that besides Robert Lewandowski no other regular player leaves the club,” Watzke was quoted by the Mirror.
“Only in the case of Ilkay Gundogan, we do not yet know how it will turn out. We would love to extend [a contract] with him.”
It was around this time that the Daily Star first reported that the Gunners and United were in a bidding war to land the 23-year-old, with an offer of around £25m expected to be enough to convince Dortmund to sell.
Yet just a few weeks later the Daily Express speculated that it was Madrid who led the race ahead of the Premier League duo to sign Gundogan.
Of the two English sides it’s likely to be the Red Devils that are most disappointed by this news, as they are desperate for midfield support.
As one of the most talented box-to-box midfielders in Europe Gundogan represents exactly the sort of player that David Moyes needs at Old Trafford.
As for Arsene Wenger, although the Frenchman has created something of a German revolution in north London with the likes of club record signing Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and promising youngster Serge Gnabry, the team are pretty well stocked with talent in midfield.
With Gundogan on a fairly modest wage of £25,000-a-week currently and the Germany international’s contract expiring in 2015, these latest comments from Zorc send out the clearest message yet that interested parties should make their move in this January transfer window.
The midfield ace joined Dortmund from Nurnberg in the summer of 2011, helping the Black and Yellows to the league title that year, although has not played since August this term due to a back injury.
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