The out-of-contract Manchester City player has been linked to the Blaugrana, but he may not be a good match for Xavi's diamond formation in the middle of the field.

Erling Haaland's recent silence is unsettling, at least by his standards. The Norwegian striker is almost to the 60-goal mark this season, but he has scored only one in his past four games.

And City have found someone else to replace him. When their magical scoring threat faltered, they brought in a smooth center midfielder. To help them keep pace with Arsenal for the Premier League championship, llkay Gundogan has scored four goals and assisted on two more in that time, including a pair of goals to beat Everton, who were seen as a possible weak spot.

Without even glancing in the direction of the goal, he scored a goal against the Toffees with a smooth touch on his right thigh, a half turn, and a fast flick into the bottom corner.

This current streak has highlighted one facet of Gundogan's game: that of a stealthy, game-changing striker. But there are also alternate interpretations. Each Gundogan has his own unique skill set, from creator to composed distributor to dribbler.

Pep Guardiola has transformed an injury-prone player whose career was waning due to a series of fitness difficulties into an almost flawless attacking midfielder. Nonetheless, it looks that his time at Etihad Stadium is drawing to a close. Although Barcelona has been linked to him, the Germany international is yet to sign a new contract to extend his stay at the club beyond the conclusion of this season.

Gundogan is not the player the Blaugrana should target, despite their desire for him. He has become a club icon at Man City and has led them to several Premier League titles. The Catalan club would be better served addressing other problems this summer rather than pursuing his services.

A lack of cash to spend

In an ideal world, Barcelona would finalize this contract as soon as possible if they weren't limited by La Liga's salary cap. Gundogan has a lot going for him, and any team would be lucky to have him in whatever capacity he plays. Moreover, at the age of nearly 33, he could be prepared to admit that he couldn't be a regular for the Blaugrana, especially with young guns like Gavi and Pedri vying for playing time in the midfield.

However, the problem is that Barca are once again in deep financial problems. There is now no obvious way for them to formally register the four players to whom they have extended contracts during the past eighteen months. La Liga president Javier Tebas has made it obvious that the Blaugrana need to drop roughly €200 million (£175.8m/$220m) before they can even consider about adding players, and Tebas is not exactly known for his ability to connect with Barcelona.

And they've used a wide variety of approaches. Some players are being released, while others have reworked their contracts. The Blaugrana cut costs by €8m (£7.0m/$8.8m) by getting rid of their own TV station.

Even if they do meet their goal, it doesn't guarantee spending will be without limit. Barcelona will pursue Lionel Messi when the new contracts are finalized, but on more favorable terms than his previous massive contract with the club.

A defensive midfielder and right back are also required. They are reportedly trying to sign Vitor Roque, a promising young attacker from Brazil. Gundogan isn't the answer at any of these positions, but they're all pricey bets nonetheless.

Not a defensive midfielder

The midfielder has capitalized on his adaptability throughout his career. He has contributed greatly to this City squad for several reasons, and one of them is his versatility. Gundogan's midfield weakness is precisely where Barcelona needs reinforcements, which is both amusing and probably sad.

Barca has a hole in their midfield that has to be filled after Sergio Busquets expressed his decision to leave the club last week. It's possible that Frenkie de Jong could play there, but they'd be better served by a larger, more intimidating defender. And it's not a field where Gundogan shines.

Chelsea won the 2021 Champions League final just as much as Man City lost. Thomas Tuchel's Blues were outstanding that day, and their German manager's brilliant strategy to neutralize City's offense was the difference. However, Guardiola's decision to play Gundogan as a lone No. 6 at the base of a three-man midfield without Rodri beside him proved to be the fatal error that ultimately killed City on that day.

It turned out to be quite an expensive choice. In the 42nd minute against Porto, Mason Mount guided a ball through a sea of grass right to the feet of Gundogan. Kai Havertz confidently charged in on net and calmly buried the game-winning goal.

Gundogan should not have one bad game destroy his reputation as a legitimate No. 6 option. In the few times he's been given that kind of responsibility throughout his time with City, he's delivered impressive victories. This is precisely what Barcelona needs, though, because he is not a player who is expected to start every week. Therefore, there is a glaring mismatch in the fit.

They already have a version of him

This is unfortunate since Gundogan is a talented football player. However, in a figurative sense, he is already a part of Barcelona. Since Robert Lewandowski's goal drought in the second part of the season, the Blaugrana have been clamoring for a playmaking midfielder. The injuries to Barcelona's top two creative players, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, were quickly connected to the news. It's not quite a perfect ending; there was a stretch there where Lewandowski was simply missing the net.

There is some validity to the idea that Barcelona needs a more imaginative midfielder, someone who can make the game-winning ball. To be sure, Gundogan isn't quite that player. He is the one who serves the pass before the assist, as is the case with many players in the City system. He shifts the action to open spaces by playing diagonal balls to the full-backs or wide players. To be more precise, he locates the points at which City generates excesses.

It would be unfair to expect him to accomplish things on his own like break down a low block or siphon a ball past an impossible crowd of people. Actually, he would fill Pedri's role on this Barca team. Even though Gundogan is a great player, Barcelona should start their Spanish star.

ALSO READ: JOAN LAPORTA REAFFIRMS PLANS TO BRING BACK LIONEL MESSI TO BARCELONA.

Who else?

It is difficult to foresee Barcelona's transfer plan, but if rumors are to be believed, Messi is their first priority. It's hardly the smartest move, but it's impossible to see the Blaugrana not making the signing for the sake of football's romance. Xavi allegedly wants to play Messi in midfield if the club great returns, fitting him into the team's current four-man unit. There is certainly place for another player now that Busquets has left, but his presence as a defensive wall will be sorely missed.

It's hardly surprising that the Blaugrana are looking for a No.6 of their own. Martin Zubimendi and Sofyan Amrabat have been suggested as alternatives to Ruben Neves of Wolves, whom Xavi is said to have rejected.

Other things must be prioritized as well. While Jules Kounde has been outstanding defensively, he has been less than stellar offensively as the right back. Although his distribution is improving, he lacks the attacking instinct and final delivery of a marauding full-back, which Barcelona want to emphasize. There have been several suggested replacements, or even long-term residents, for that role.

Gundogan may be an unnecessary luxury if Barcelona's budget is tight, as it likely will be.

Will they do it anyway?

Nonetheless, there is a certain certainty to this. In the past six months, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been at battle with La Liga, promising fans and players a spectacular summer. And it looks like luck is on his side thus far. Barcelona won the title, and according to reports, the league gave in to his "viability plan" to get Messi back to Camp Nou.

To be sure, Laporta isn't the kind to give up so easily. He cares deeply about the club's image and, as seen by the slew of additions he made this past summer, has no qualms about splashing out. Gundogan's impending free agency doesn't make this a cheap acquisition, either. There will be costs and a pricey agreement. However, it will be resolved, if for no other reason than to demonstrate that the Blaugrana can.

Gundogan is a strong candidate for inclusion in the team. The fact that he has spent the past seven years learning under Guardiola is intriguing as well. Indeed, few clubs in the world are as committed to the intangible idea of club DNA as Barcelona. Unfortunately, not every player is a follower of the legendary coach.

However, Barcelona's current success has to be expanded into a more permanent idea. They have a youthful, dynamic core group. Veteran players at the wrong positions are a waste of money, especially with the arrival of the most expensive player of all time.

As long as Xavi makes good use of him in the near term, the Blaugrana won't instantly regret bringing in Gundogan. The club's recurring financial problems, though, make his poor fit a potential long-term problem.