Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Ilkay Gundogan future to be decided soon amid Man United talk - Zorc

Borussia Dortmund will make a decision on Ilkay Gundogan's future sooner rather than later, the club's sporting director Michael Zorc has said.

Gundogan will soon enter the final year of his contract, and he has been linked with a move away from the Westfalenstadion.

Earlier this season, the 24-year-old Germany international returned after a 14-month absence from the game with a career-threatening back injury.

During his injury, Gundogan extended his contract until 2016, but he has since been reluctant to sign a new deal with the club.

Last Friday, reports in Germany and England suggested his future could lie with Manchester United, who were willing to pay €30 million for the midfielder.

However, sources told ESPN FC on Friday that, while Gundogan indeed plans to leave Dortmund and could end up at Old Trafford, a deal is not already in place.

But on Saturday, Zorc firmly rejected speculation United are on the verge of signing Gundogan.

"There is no signature, there is no offer, no request, and not even any contact," he said on Sky.

"That journalists don't hear from the other party before something is written, that's a bit sketchy, to be honest..."

In an interview with football weekly kicker, Zorc announced on Monday that the Gundogan saga will soon come to an end.

"His contract expires in 2016. There will be a timely decision," he said.

According to reports in both Bild and kicker, Arsenal also hope to sign Gundogan, who has been offered an annual salary of €6.5 million at Dortmund.

However, kicker added that Dortmund have not received any offers for the Germany international yet.

Zorc also reiterated Dortmund's plan to keep captain Mats Hummels at the club.

When asked whether the centre-back will still be part of the squad following the impending overhaul in the summer, he replied: "To the best of my knowledge, his contract runs through to 2017."

The 26-year-old World Cup winner with Germany has also been strongly linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

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