25 Aug 2013 04:55:52
A friend of mine had the opportunity to meet a former German footballer a couple of nights ago and asked him about the Ed Woodward in Germany rumor. He laughed it off but told him that Ilkay Gundogan had the same strategy as Lewandowski and Kagawa to let his contract run down and leave next summer when a year will be left on it. He also said that United had been in contact with his agent and are expected to be the favorites to sign him next summer and that we tried accelerating it to this summer with an enquiry but were met with firm refusal from Dortmund about selling this summer.

1.) 25 Aug 2013
This ties in with what 002 has said about him. I think MU should meet his buyout clause. Or make a bid very close to it. I think a £30m bid would be difficult to turn down. Then again Dortmund look willing to pass up €20m from BM for Lew, so perhaps not.

Does anyone know what is buyout clause is?

2.) 25 Aug 2013
To be honest that sounds very plausible, I think he is who we are waiting for. Fellaini is a stop gap.

3.) 25 Aug 2013
Dortmund say Gundogan has no buyout clause in his contract. That is why it is almost impossible to prize him away this summer.

4.) 25 Aug 2013
Don't think we would spend £23+ on a stop gap mate.

5.) 25 Aug 2013
I wonder how this would have been effected if we had signed Fabregas. Admittedly I have really wanted to sign a creative midfielder but I'd be willing to wait another year if it meant we would get Gundogan.

6.) 25 Aug 2013
Sorry, I don't think I made myself clear. I meant that Fellaini is a stop gap in the sense that he would solve a part of the problem. Gundogan would be the more creative half of what we need while Fellaini is a bit of steel. My fear is though that if we only get Fellaini we will still need a left back and another central midfielder next year. as well as a potential deal for Ronaldo.