LONDON, England — Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan is set to make a decision on his future within the next two weeks, with sources having told ESPN FC the Germany midfielder is ready to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan’s deal runs out in 12 months’ time and there has been speculation he could walk away for free next summer.
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But speaking after City’s penalty shootout victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield on Sunday, the 28-year-old suggested he is ready to pen a new contract.
“If you stay patient for another couple of weeks you will know, we will see,” he said, when asked about his future.
Sources have told ESPN FC the club did not contemplate selling Gundogan this summer despite the risk of losing him on a free transfer, while recent talks over a new contract have been positive.
Gundogan played 41 times in all competitions last season, but will face added competition in midfield after City splashed a club record fee of €70m on Rodri from Atletico Madrid.
“Every situation is different and individual,” Gundogan said. “Everyone has to take a decision for himself. These kinds of decisions sometimes take a little bit of time.
“During last season I asked people to be patient, because it’s a decision you make for the next few years. That’s why I was calm and relaxed and still am.
“It’s a comfortable situation for me at the moment.”
After lifting the Community Shield for the second year in a row, City start their Premier League defence against West Ham on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side didn’t lose a league game until December last season and Gundogan has targeted another strong start to the new campaign.
“We are looking forward to it,” Gundogan said. “We have a week and shouldn’t get used to having such a long break as we will soon be playing every three or four days.
“It’s weird that for the next three or four weeks we will play one game a week, but it gives time for good training sessions, so that will be worth a lot. We want to kick into this season the way we did last season.”