Not sure why people want to spread out so much money on multiple players instead of buying people who are most likely to make our team BETTER. Look at the Suarez signing.
Gundogan had a major back injury and hasn't been the same since. He isn't nearly as good as he used to be. We have MNS with Pedro on the bench and multiple youngsters who are gladly capable of sitting on the bench all season long, which is exactly what they are going to do if our front three stay remotely healthy. Do people think players like Vietto, Felipe Anderson and Dybala are going to want to sit on the bench all season? Waste of money.
Xavi is gone, Iniesta hasn't been at his best for years. We need someone to replace him, someone who can make the current starting 11 better and is fit for our current tactics. Is Gundogan in his current form going to take Iniesta's position to the next level? No, he is not...
I rather spend the money on someone promising like Pogba or Kovacic....at least they will immediately still be good and have the chance of becoming much, much better. Gundogan doesn't have that chance, even at his best a few seasons ago he isn't the ideal type of player or play Iniesta's current role. He can't attack the way Kovacic and Pogba can. If you buy a star like Gundogan, then there is pressure to play him. He will not be a good choice for Iniesta's position and he will then be competing for Rakitic's position. Why mess with something that works? Rakitic has proven himself.
We need a STARTING midfielder for next season and maybe....maybe another midfielder who doesn't mind not starting regularly and is a squad player (why not have Samper fill that limited role).
The only position we need to worry about is RB, and with Dani staying we have time to carefully plan and determine who his successor will be.