Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan, who has been capped eight times by Germany at senior international level, has 18 months left to run on his current contract at Westfalenstadion.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid are all said to be keen on buying Gundogan out of that deal.

However, their hopes of signing the 23-year-old appear to have been dealt a blow as, according to the Daily Mail, La Liga champions Barcelona have arrived on the scene and are intent on stealing a march on their rivals.

Reports in Spain claim that Gundogan's father recently met with members of the Barcelona board.