Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has described speculation that Ilkay Gundogan is on the verge of signing a deal with Manchester United as "grotesque".

Reports emerged earlier this weekend that the Premier League side are closing in on an agreement with Dortmund for the 24-year-old midfielder, who has just over a year remaining on his contract.

Zorc told Sky Sports News: "Usually we won't comment on these countless rumours, but this story is so grotesque, and that's why we say this once, there is no signature, there is no offer, no request, and not even any contact.

"My last contact with Manchester United, and I say this openly and honestly, took place in November 2014 and was about something else entirely.

"That journalists don't hear from the other party before something is written, that's a bit sketchy, to be honest."

Gundogan has been a regular in Jurgen Klopp's side this season, having missed much of the previous campaign with a back injury.