BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand says he has “heard” on the grapevine that Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan will be leaving the Etihad to join Barcelona this summer.

There was still some hope that the German international would remain in Manchester, but Ferdinand believes the midfielder is likely to sign for Barca in the coming weeks:

“The person that needs talking about is the captain, Gundogan. He has been immense – when it has mattered, he has come up trumps, either with goals, performances, the control of games, the pace and tempo goes through him and Rodri a lot of the time.”

“He defines everything that’s good about this team, I think. He is very calm under pressure. Never seems like a hair out of place. He’s just there. It shows you why he was captain – there is a calm authority about him. He plays off both feet. Comfortable – he impacts the game anywhere he plays on the pitch. I love him. Barca [is the team he will join]. I heard it’s Barca.”

Arsenal have also been linked with Gundogan recently but reports from Spain have been suggesting for a while that Barcelona is his preferred destination.

Gundogan is expected to make his decision public soon

The City talisman’s agent has spoken out in recent days to emphasise that the player is completely focused on the Champions League final against Inter Milan on Saturday. It is believed that we won’t hear more about Gundogan’s future until after then.

The Citizens have offered him a new contract which would keep him at the club beyond the summer. However, the proposal is said to be only a twelve-month extension and the player is keen for a longer-term deal.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to give him a two-year contract, with an option for another twelve months, and that appears to be his preferred option.