Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has said that he is happy to let his contract at the club run down before opening talks over an extension.
Gundogan's current deal expires in the summer of 2020, having initially put pen to paper on a four-year contract when he became Pep Guardiola's first signing as City boss.
A large chunk of the 28-year-old's early City career was disrupted by injury, but he now appears to have overcome those problems and has scored five goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season.
"It's hard to judge if I'm the best Gundogan ever. I also had very good periods at Dortmund. In the meantime, however, I also realise that I have to pay close attention to my body. I need to sleep well - at least seven hours – and eat well," Gundogan told Sport-Bild.
"It's become the norm that a player who has another year on his contract period has a decision between separation or extension. I'm a little old-fashioned. It's possible that I will go to the last year of my contract and then extend.
"Maybe the next one will be my last big contract, so such a decision must be well considered. We have already had one or two talks. I do not feel there is pressure on the subject. In sporting terms, I'm very satisfied with City - there are less attractive jobs in Europe! In this regard, there is nothing to prevent extension. But nothing is decided yet."
Gundogan has made almost 100 appearances for City across all competitions since joining from Dortmund in 2016.
Barney Corkhill
