Manchester United target extends BVB contract

We can finally cross a name off our 'possible summer arrivals' list, with Borussia Dortmund announcing that German midfielder İlkay Gündoğan has extended his contract with the club to 2016:

Ilkay Gündogan hat seinen Vertrag bei Borussia Dortmund heute Nachmittag vorzeitig bis zum 30. Juni 2016 verlängert. pic.twitter.com/d0cuCr4cBg

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) April 15, 2014

His previous deal was expiring at the end of next season, leading to suggestions that the German international would've been available for a cut-price fee in the summer. However, it now seems anyone interested will have to wait a season longer to get their hands on the talented youngster.

There's no doubt that Gündoğan would've been a fantastic signing for United on paper. He's a brilliant all-rounder, capable of both protecting the defence and dictating from deep. But his arrival would've come with a big caveat. He's missed almost the entire season with a back injury, and is yet to return to action. He would've been a pretty big risk.

Should he get himself back to full fitness and his best form, then another swoop in the not-too-distant future is an option. It's worth noting that by normal big club standards, signing a new contract that lasts just a couple of years is fairly unusual for important players. Having said that, we really ought to have our central midfield woes sorted by the time Gündoğan's back on the market ...