Arsenal ‘face competition from Saudi Arabian clubs to sign Man City star Ilkay Gundogan’… with the German ‘identified as the latest big name who could make the switch to the Middle East’
- Arsenal have been in the race to sign Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan
- However, the Gunners now face competition from an unnamed Saudi side
- Gundogan could be the latest star to make the lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia
Arsenal will face competition from Saudi Arabia in the race to sign Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan, according to reports.
The Gunners have long been admirers of the German international, who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad despite City’s success.
According to the Evening Standard, clubs in Saudi Arabia have taken an interest in Gundogan and could rival Arsenal’s bid for the midfielder.
Reports last month suggested that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had identified the midfielder as one of his primary transfer targets in the summer window.
However, their hopes of signing the 32-year-old in the coming months may have been scuppered amid rumoured interest from abroad.
Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan has emerged as a target for a number of Saudi clubs
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have long been chasing the signing of the German international
The German international has been a key feature in Man City’s success and his steller performances have made him one of the most sought-out stars in Europe.
Gundogan had also been strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer and seemed likely to join the club on a free in summer.
However, he could now become the latest star to make the switch to the Middle East amid a number of players opting to join the Saudi league.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Karim Benzema had signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is nearing a sensational move to the same club in a two-year deal worth £172million.
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has also been offered a lucrative £45million deal to make a move to the Middle East next season.
Former Real Madrid and Man United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the Saudi league since the start of the calendar year and has scored 14 goals in 16 matches.
PSG star Lionel Messi has also been tipped to make a stunning switch to the Middle East but that will also be rivalled by lucrative bids from the MLS.
The German played a crucial role in Manchester City’s recent 2-1 FA Cup final victory
