Ilkay Gundogan tempted by Barcelona move, Brentford eye Ivan Toney replacement, and Newcastle plot double raid on Leicester

Barcelona target Ilkay Gundogan could follow in Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel’s footsteps by lifting the Champions League trophy to complete a treble, and then moving clubs.

Captain Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the season and talkSPORT understands he and his family are seriously attracted by the prospect of a move to the Nou Camp.

The 32-year-old has hit form at just the right time and talks are continuing between City and the midfielder’s representatives.

But Gundogan is seeking a two-year deal and historically City are reluctant to offer more than a year to players approaching the veteran stage of their career.

Gundogan, who has a house in Spain, was Pep Guardiola’s first signing as City manager and if the German does decide to move on will do so with the club’s blessing.

Manchester United skipper Schmeichel’s last game for the club was in the 1999 treble clinching Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

Toney replacement

Brentford are ready to step up their interest in Coventry goal machine Viktor Gyokeres to compensate for Ivan Toney’s eight-month betting ban.

The Bees have been tracking Gyokeres, 24, for a number of transfer windows and are now ready to make their move.

Coventry will demand a fee of at least £25m for their star striker and will be in a stronger position to keep him if they win the Championship play-off final against Luton.

Wolves are also circling for Sweden international, who has scored 38 goals in 91 league games for the Sky Blues.

Any move would be welcomed by Gyokeres’ former club Brighton, who inserted a sell-on clause in the deal when he joined Coventry for a bargain £1m fee in the summer of 2021.

Raid on Leicester

Newcastle are eyeing a potential double raid on Leicester for James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

The Magpies have made England midfielder Maddison one of their top summer targets after attempting to sign him last summer.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth, who watched Leicester’s feeble 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday, is also known to be a big admirer of winger Barnes.

Leicester are facing a monumental task to avoid relegation and face a mass exodus if they drop into the Championship.

Out of contract Youri Tielemans will definitely leave while centre-back Caglar Soyuncu has already agreed a pre-contract with Atletico Madrid.

Jonny Evans, 35, Papy Mendy and injury-plagued Ryan Bertrand all have deals which expire in the summer while talkSPORT understands once-capped England full-back James Justin is likely to push for a move.

Lerma decision

Jefferson Lerma’s future at Bournemouth remains in the balance with just two games of the Colombian’s contract to run.

Lerma is available on a free transfer this summer and while talkSPORT has been told suggestions he has rejected a number of offers from the Cherries are false, he is yet to commit to a new deal.

The 28-year-old has interest from Spain as well as Crystal Palace and West Ham and a move to London is believed to appeal.

Lerma is one of a handful of survivors from Bournemouth’s last stint in the Premier League after former boss Eddie Howe paid Villarreal £25m for his services.

Bournemouth would like the combative midfielder to stay and relations between him and the hierarchy are amicable.