ESPN pundit Steve Nicol believes Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan should move abroad, rather than join Arsenal, if he leaves the Etihad this summer.

The German international, whose contract expires next month, is believed to be a transfer target for the Gunners, but Nicol doesn’t see the logic of the midfielder making the switch to London:

“I was trying to figure out why would Gundogan leave Manchester City. Why don’t you just take the year? Listen, Gundogan can go back to Germany anytime he wants. That would make more sense [Barcelona move] than going to Arsenal, to be honest.”

“You’re leaving the best team to go to a team that you know is inferior but you’ve got to play against them in the same league. If you’re going to cut ties, I’d go somewhere else. I’d either go back to Germany or go to Barcelona or a club of that ilk.”

Most City supporters are likely to have similar feelings to Nicol. Gundogan may think that his contributions are not being fairly rewarded with the Premier League champions only offering a one-year extension.

However, if you have the choice of staying with the best team in England for another twelve months or joining a side who finished below them in the table, wouldn’t the former be the better option?

Gundogan hasn’t made a decision on his City future yet

While it is widely assumed that the 32-year-old will leave Manchester on a free transfer, it is important to point out that the City captain hasn’t so far put pen to paper on a contract with any club.

There is still a chance that Gundogan will remain with the Citizens, although that possibility becomes smaller with every passing week.