Hansi Flick offers update on Ilkay Gundogan's Barcelona future after shock transfer request

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has revealed his confidence that Ilkay Gundogan will remain at the club this summer.

Just hours before Saturday's 2-1 win over Valencia, Barcelona were rocked by a report which claimed Gundogan had grown tired of life at Camp Nou and had asked to leave the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

The midfielder was left out of the matchday squad for the game, although that decision was made before the report emerged. Barcelona insisted Gundogan's absence was due to a minor head injury suffered in the Joan Gamper Trophy defeat to Monaco.

"As you know, he has had some problems and felt a bit dizzy," Flick said of Gundogan after the victory. "We agreed that he would stay at home and I have spoken to him to see how he felt, but what we said to each other remains between us.

"I have the feeling that he will stay."

MARCA claim that Gundogan's absence from the squad was purely down to the transfer uncertainty, noting that the veteran midfielder had trained normally with the rest of the team in the build-up to the match.

There are claims that Gundogan's desire to leave is a result of a message from Barcelona, who have made it clear they are keen to put their faith in younger talents like Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Gavi and new signing Dani Olmo, who has not yet been registered.

According to SPORT, Gundogan has acted with respect throughout and has made it clear that he sees Barcelona heading in a different, more youthful direction, and recognises that his departure would only help that vision.

Flick is believed to have voiced a desire to keep Gundogan but will not stand in the 33-year-old's way if he chooses to leave.

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