Barcelona have already got to work on a summer deal for Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, according to reports.
The 32-year-old Germany international remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola's team but is out of contract this summer, after seven years at the Etihad Stadium.
And Barcelona-based outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Forbes) are claiming that Barca have been in 'frequent' contact with Gundogan's agent – who also represents Blaugrana defender Andreas Christensen – to negotiate a move to the Camp Nou.
Arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016, Gundogan was Guardiola's first signing as City manager. Injury restricted him to just 16 appearances during his first season with the club, but he's been a regular ever since, starring in four Premier League title-winning campaigns.
Surely Gundogan's most significant contribution in a City shirt came on the final day of last season, when came off the bench to bag a brace – including the winner – as Guardiola's side came from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa and retain the title.
Gundogan has continued to prove his importance this term, starting 16 of City's 23 league games so far. He's scored three goals and provided three assists, setting up Jack Grealish in Wednesday's 3-1 win away to Arsenal – a result which knocked the Gunners off top spot.
Guardiola, though, has had little to say on his skipper's future, insisting that "it is a question for him and his agent" when he spoke ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.
With Barcelona's well-documented financial situation this still less than ideal, potential free signings like Gundogan might just fit the bill at the Camp Nou this summer.
And, as things stand, it looks like Barca will be La Liga champions by then. Having lost only once all season, Xavi's side currently lead arch-rivals Real Madrid by eight points with 17 matches to go.
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