Arsenal are reportedly looking to reignite their interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan when the transfer opens in the summer.
The Gunners had attempted to sign the 24-year-old midfielder in the January transfer window, but Dortmund had refused to sell, rejecting a £18.4 million bid from the North London club.
However, according to German publication Kicker, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is reportedly a big fan of the midfielder, is adamant of landing Gundogan, and is looking to make a fresh bid in the summer.
Arsenal, who have been playing well of late, climbing to the second position in the Premier League after eight successive wins, are in need of a new central/defensive midfielder.
Mathieu Flamini is expected to leave the Emirates after the expiration of his contract this summer, and Mikel Arteta, despite signing a new contract extension in January, is not expected to regularly start for Arsenal next season.
The Gunners do have the likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, but Wenger rarely deploys the pair in the central midfield position at the same time as both of them like to attack, which often results in them neglecting their defensive duties.
Francis Coquelin, 23, has been playing well of late in the defensive midfield position, but he is still relatively inexperienced, and Wenger is looking for someone who can add steel in the middle of the park.
Due to this reason, the Gunners are reportedly keen on landing Gundogan, who is known for his passing, technical skills and ability to intercept the ball in the middle of the park.
The 24-year-old joined Dortmund from FC Nürnberg in the summer of 2011, played a vital role when Dortmund lifted the Bundesliga title in the 2011/12 season, and has been a key player at the Westfalenstadion ever since.
However, the Gunners will certainly not be able to secure his signature that easily as Dortmund would not be willing to part with a key player like Gundogan for a cheap price.
Also, Arsenal may be getting some competition for the midfielder's signature from the free spending Manchester United, who are also believed to be tracking Germany international's progress.
