Fabrizio Romano lifts lid on future of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan

On the final day of last season, Ilkay Gundogan signalled his importance to this Manchester City side by scoring a brace against Aston Villa to clinch the Premier League title for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Playing a crucial role in just about every title triumph for Manchester City over the years, the Germany international remains a key presence in the middle of the park for his side at 31 years of age.

Even at the start of the ongoing season, the midfield maestro has looked at his evergreen best.

Establishing a somewhat telepathic connection with Erling Haaland up top, whilst also producing a fine display as a defensive midfielder in the most recent Manchester derby, Ilkay Gundogan has done it all this term as well.

However, it seemed that the former Borussia Dortmund lynchpin was closing in on an exit this summer.

With just a year left on his current contract, speculation suggested that the club legend was open to departing the Etihad Stadium on a high.

Despite rumours around Ilkay Gundogan’s future, he ended up staying at the club and was handed the armband after Fernandinho’s departure in the summer.

Despite there being no disputing the decorated midfielder’s importance to this Manchester City side, the question around whether he signs a contract extension still looms.

As the Etihad faithful speculate over whether the Bundesliga champion prolongs his stay in East Manchester or finally ends his love affair with the club, a credible source has provided clarity on the situation.

Ilkay Gundogan (Twitter)

According to the latest information revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City wish to extend Ilkay Gundogan’s contract, but the decision lies in the player’s hands.

It has been mentioned that Pep Guardiola remains a huge admirer of the midfielder.

While Barcelona were keen on signing the German in the summer, the Sky Blues were never open about sanctioning his sale.

Furthermore, Romano states that only time will tell the result of the contract talks but for the time being, other clubs have not reached any advanced or concrete terms with Gundogan.

Ilkay Gundogan

With the possibility of Bernardo Silva finally getting his reportedly desired move abroad next season, City must aim to keep Ilkay Gundogan at the club, as the risk of losing such stalwarts in the same summer is not worth taking.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are on the verge of announcing a new contract for academy poster boy Phil Foden.

Phil Foden scored thrice against Manchester United (Alamy)

The England international has been far and away the most successful player to emerge from the City Football Academy, and is set to be rewarded for his meteoric rise in Pep Guardiola's team with improved contractual terms.