Borussia Dortmund bid to keep Manchester United target Ilkay Gundogan

Borussia Dortmund have not given up hope of convincing reported Manchester United target Ilkay Gundogan to extend his contract with them.

The Germany international is out of contract next summer and he has turned down Dortmund’s offer of an extension, fuelling rumours he could leave as early as this summer.

United and Barcelona have been linked with the 24-year-old, but his future could still be in Westphalia, according to the club’s general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke.

“Maybe there is still a chance that he has a rethink,” he told the WAZ newspaper. “We are in talks and Ilkay is a decent lad.” Gundogan joined Dortmund from Nurnberg in 2011 and has made 117 appearances, scoring 12 goals. Injury restricted him to 23 appearances last season and ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup.

Meanwhile Gael Kakuta has finally completed his move to Sevilla from Chelsea after passing a medical yesterday.

The French winger, who spent last season on loan in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with back-to-back Europa League winners Sevilla. Kakuta was out of contract at Chelsea this month although the London outfit has reportedly received from Sevilla €3.5m in compensation, owing to the player being under the age of 24.

Kakuta moved to Chelsea as a teenager in 2007 but struggled for first-team action and went on loan to Fulham, Bolton, Dijon, Vitesse, Lazio and finally Rayo. “My departure from Chelsea has been fast,” said 23-year-old Kakuta. “I didn’t have to speak to (Jose) Mourinho. ”

Villarreal have boosted their attacking line by completing the double signing of Samuel Garcia and Samuel Castillejo from Malaga.

The pursuit of Barcelona defender Marc Bartra could be straight fight between Tottenham and Liverpool after FC Porto said they would not be pursuing the player. Bartra, 24, has two years left on his contract with Barca.