•Guardiola and Gundogan, who live in the same Manchester city centre apartment block, have built a close friendship.
•Gundogan, from Germany, scored two of the three goals that completed the title-winning comeback against Aston Villa on the final day of last season
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Pep Guardiola hopes the postscript to a historic season for Manchester City will be Ilkay Gundogan signing a new contract.
The midfielder, whose present deal at the club expires this summer, scored two as City beat Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.
Next Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan could be the 32-year-old’s final City appearance.
“He knows what I think,” said Sky Blues boss Guardiola. “(Football director) Txiki (Begiristain) is working on it. Hopefully, he can be successful.”
Guardiola and Gundogan, who live in the same Manchester city centre apartment block, have built a close friendship.
And Guardiola has not made any secret of his desire for Gundogan —one of his first signings as City boss in 2016— to stay.
The pair have now shared in 11 trophy triumphs and Gundogan’s influence is growing on and off the pitch after he was voted new club captain by his team-mates following Fernandinho’s exit last summer.
Gundogan, from Germany, scored two of the three goals that completed the title-winning comeback against Aston Villa on the final day of last season and he is now the fastest-ever scorer in FA Cup final history, thanks to his 13-second thunderbolt against Manchester United.
“We are neighbours,” said Guardiola. “We live on the same floor for many years so he is a close friend of mine.
“He plays exceptionally well. I won’t forget him scoring those goals against Aston Villa. “Hopefully, we can finish in a good way.”
Elsewhere, Manchester United are growing increasingly optimistic about concluding a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
Chelsea have spent £600m over the past two transfer windows and need to sell before 30 June to ease Financial Fair Play concerns. It is understood Chelsea would prefer not to lose the England player, 24.
However, Mount’s contract runs out in June 2024 and there is no sign of a successful resolution over talks.
While United manager Erik ten Hag has prioritised a new striker this summer, Mount’s ability to operate in advanced positions is understood to make him a target for the Old Trafford club.
Mount, who has scored 33 goals in 195 appearances at Stamford Bridge, missed the end of the domestic season with injury as Chelsea finished in 12th. The player, who joined the club when he was six, has been in contract talks for much of last season.
Speaking last month, Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard said: “Of course, in an ideal world those players stay with the club, but again in modern football, it isn’t always that clear.”
The Blues have now appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager. Despite the continuing ownership uncertainty, it is known United do have funds available this summer.
However, Ten Hag will also be looking at selling players as he aims to get United closer to Premier League champions Manchester City.