Ilkay Gundogan admits he could leave Man City with the titular hero open for talks amid Kalvin Phillips transfer interest

MANCHESTER CITY titular hero Ilkay Gundogan plans to hold talks about his future with the club this summer.

The Germany international, who scored twice in six minutes on the final day against Aston Villa, is entering the last 12 months of his contract.

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There have been reports that City have told him he can leave – although Pep Guardiola later insisted he would like the former Borussia Dortmund man to stay.

However, the champions are looking for a new central midfielder this summer, with Leeds’ Englishman Kalvin Phillips on their list of targets.

Gundogan has been on the bench more than he would like in the final weeks of the season and admits he faces a dilemma.

He said: “We’ll sit down and share our ideas and plans in due course and then we’ll see what comes of it.

“The question is whether and when I want to do something new again.

“I haven’t really answered that question for myself yet.

“Football-wise, there’s no better place than Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and that’s not going to change much in the years to come.”

Gundogan, 31, started in 20 of City’s Prem games this season – but often found himself on the bench for crucial games during the run-in.

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He made a big impression after coming on as a substitute against Villa on the last day but says he would like to start more often.

“Kicker” he said: “Of course I would have liked to have played a little longer in one or two important games in the last few months. That’s no secret.

“I am a player who always wants to play. I also need that for my rhythm, otherwise I often find it difficult.”

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