Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola give verdict on Ilkay Gundogan’s Man City future

Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wants his team-mate Ilkay Gundogan to sign a contract extension at Manchester City, after he scored twice in the club’s FA Cup final win.

The German international could play his last match for the club next week in the Champions League final, with Gundogan’s contract at the Etihad set to expire at the end of the campaign. While it was expected for the majority of the season that Gundogan would depart, recent reports have suggested that he could sign a new deal with the Premier League champions.

The 32-year-old scored a brace of volleys at Wembley on Saturday as City beat Manchester United. The German netted at the start of both halves as he guided Pep Guardiola’s side to a second piece of silverware this term, with a treble still in their sights.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund man has played a starring role in the City team over recent weeks and, speaking after the Wembley bout, De Bruyne encouraged his team-mate to sign an extension. “He should sign now,” opined the Belgian, as per Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom.

Meanwhile, Guardiola revealed after the match that Gundogan is in talks with CEO Txiki Begiristain about a new contract.

“He knows what I think. Maybe some of you know it,” said the City boss. “ He’s a neighbour of mine. We’ve lived on the same floor for many years and he’s close friend of mine.

“He’s an exceptional player and hopefully we can finish it [contract talks] in a good way. Txiki is working and hopefully we can do it. The season he has done is exceptional, not just being part of important moments. Don’t forget Aston Villa [on the final day of 2021/22] and this season, many times, the important goals he has scored. He is very important for many reasons."