Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a free transfer to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to use the summer window to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season
Ilkay Gundogan is the latest player with Manchester City connections to be linked with a move to Arsenal.
Although it's worth pointing out that if the Gunners want to sign Gundogan on a free transfer then they'll have to wait at least another week to make an approach because of the ruling that states 'Premier League players can agree pre-contracts with any club in England, but only up to one month before the expiry of their current deals'.
All of this is in place because domestic transfers are regulated by each country's football associations rather than FIFA, and The FA in England are eager to ensure that there is no conflict of interest should a player play against his future club, so any pre-contracts can only be agreed after the final game of a season.
As a result, this will affect Arsenal up until Sunday when the Premier League season concludes. Having said that, with Pep Guardiola's side in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals - on June 3 and June 10 respectively - it could be a while yet before the midfielder's next move is revealed.
"Ilkay Gundogan, who as we heard his future is in question and Manchester City have made it clear to us that today is not a day to be asking questions about the future, it’s about the here and now," Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones revealed after interviewing the 32-year-old.
"Manchester City - title winners for the third successive season and Ilkay Gundogan the man lifting the trophy for the first time, you could tell how proud he was of that. As Roy [Keane] said, a special player, and it would certainly leave a hole in this Man City team were he to leave."