Barcelona also closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona also closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona's current board are in a rush to sign players before next season, aware that Josep Maria Bartomeu may have to resign on June 9, as is the law when an election has been called. For that reason, decisions will need to be taken in the next few hours. After the signing of Sevilla's Aleix Vidal, it seems there is another player who could be signed soon: Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan

The German international has already closed an agreement with Barça after proving his fitness through a series of medical tests. It should not be forgotten that he has had a serious back problem which kept him out for a year and a half. "I feel like rubbish," he said, depressed at the length of time surgery kept him out of action. 

However, he has spent this season almost clean of all injuries. Since October 11, 2013, he has shown clear signs of recovery and has begun to play his best football again. His return was a blessing for Jürgen Klopp, whose team moved away from the relegation zone towards the Europa League. 

FC Barcelona's medical team have been following his evolution very closely in recent months. They have been in Germany two times to check on his fitness. On both occasions they were happy that he was moving on from the back problems. 

It is clear that Gundogan will be presented as the 'replacement' for Xavi Hernandez. There will never be another Xavi, but there will be room in the squad for another midfielder. Gundogan has good technique, is physical and would link well with either Andres Iniesta or Ivan Rakitic. 

The problem is he can't play until January 2016, because of Barça's transfer ban. There are two options: Continue with Dortmund until January and then sign for Barcelona (the German side are not in the Champions League so it will not affect his participation in the competition); or join Barça in July, but not play until January. 

In any case, it's become clear that Bartomeu is moving quickly with elections on the horizon, which are expected to take place on July 19.