VETERAN GUNDOGAN POISED TO AVOID CITY SUMMER CULL SAYS GUARDIOLA

PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed golden oldie Ilkay Gundogan will survive his summer clear-out at Manchester City.

- by JEREMY CROSS

Guardiola is expected to make wholesale changes to his ageing squad in the next transfer window, following the champions' woeful season.

City have crashed out of the title race and Champions League before the end of February. Guardiola knows he has an old squad, and is expected to allow the likes of Kevin De Bruyne (right), John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Mateo Kovacic to leave.

Gundogan was also expected to be one of the stars to depart.

The German international has endured a difficult season following his return to City from Barcelona last summer, and will turn 35 in October. But Guardiola has revealed the club are poised to trigger the 12-month extension in the midfielder's contract instead.