Pep Guardiola frustrated as City are set to lose important star to Barcelona

Pep Guardiola is a fantastic manager that many footballers would love to play for. However, the Premier League record breaking manager is in a tough spot as one of his most important players is looking to leave the club. OK, the star has not asked to leave the club but he is not keen to renew his contract. He is not keen to stay and this has caused confusion for the former Barcelona manager.  

German midfielder, lkay Gundogan’s Manchester City future is in doubt after manager Pep Guardiola revealed movement has stalled over the a new contract for the midfielder. Barcelona, AC Milan and a number of teams from the Bundesliga were also allegedly weighing up moves for the 27-year-old.

Although Barcelona have made other midfield signings, they would still be interested in this quality midfield star. The former Dortmund star has been at the Etihad Stadium since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2016 and his current deal runs until the end of next season. He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing when he was named as the manager of Manchester City.

But, according to a report in the Mirror, the 28-year-old Germany international is yet to extend his stay despite Guardiola being keen. ”We would like to do it, but it depends on the club and him, so I don’t know,” Guardiola said.

”Hopefully he can stay. I would prefer him to stay, but at the same time I want to feel he wants to stay, too. If he doesn’t want to stay, he has to leave. But we would like to continue. I said before, if he wants to stay, we will talk to him and we can sign the contract.”

‘We signed the contract with Kevin De Bruyne in a few days, and with other players — with Gabriel Jesus. But he, Gundogan doesn’t want to right now, so we will wait. When he wants it, we will be here.’

Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany is convinced Raheem Sterling is now one of the best players in the world. Sterling hit a 13-minute hat-trick on Saturday as Manchester City took another step towards defending their Premier League title with a 3-1 defeat of Watford at the Etihad Stadium.

There was an offside debate over his first goal and his second was a tap-in, but his third highlighted his skill as he weaved into the area, cut back and fired past Ben Foster.

City captain Kompany said: ‘It’s incredible because his first year at City was tough, and then from the moment Pep (Guardiola) came in he just kicked on and went from strength to strength.

‘For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world. He’s so important for us. To have the ability to unlock defences when they defend with so many bodies is the sign of a top, top, top player.’

Kompany, whose team are aiming for back-to-back titles, said he felt the Reds would be flawless for the rest of the league season. “We couldn’t have asked for more at this stage of the season but we are all convinced that Liverpool will win every single remaining game until the end of the season.”

He told reporters. “We know how big the task ahead of us is with big games still coming up and difficult games against any team. We’re all relaxed and calm, we’re not getting carried away.”