Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim has put Manchester United on red alert after suggesting midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could leave the club, according to the Daily Star. The 23-year-old is yet to agree a new deal at Dortmund and interest in the £25 million-valued ace is mounting, with Arsenal also believed to be tracking the star. The German side are resigned to losing Robert Lewandowski in the summer when the Poland international's contract runs down and Watzke revealed he is unsure where Gundogan's own future lies. He said:
"It is our absolute desire that besides Robert Lewandowski no other regular player leaves the club. Only in the case of Ilkay Gundogan, we do not yet know how it will turn out. We would love to extend (a contract) with him."
As well as interest from United and Arsenal, Real Madrid were thought to be keen, with reports last month suggesting a deal was already in place for Gundogan to head to the Bernabeu. However, the player's father quashed those claims recently, putting United back in the picture. United manager David Moyes is desperate to strengthen his midfield in the New Year having failed to land the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara in the last window. But the Scot will have to stump up £25 million to get the deal done, with Dortmund unwilling to listen to offers of a penny less. United are currently 12 points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League and the same number of points above the relegation zone following a nightmare start to the season.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
