In preparation for a summer transfer, Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray and Manchester City player Ilkay Gundogan have agreed on personal terms, according to L’Equipe. The Cityzens, who are willing to let the former German international go, have not yet started negotiations with the Turkish powerhouses.
The 34-year-old only played one season with Barcelona before returning to the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer last summer. During the Sky Blues’ poor 24/25 season, he played 51 games and recorded three goals and seven assists.
With Rodri, who has recovered from a long-term ACL injury, and Tijjani Reijnders, who is anticipated to be an automatic starter, joining Gundogan, questions have been raised about his future. Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez are higher up the hierarchy; therefore, Gundogan’s playing time may be limited.
City is thinking of trading the former Borussia Dortmund star for nothing this summer, even though they extended his contract until next year.
City open to letting Ilkay Gündogan join Galatasaray
Gündogan’s availability was reportedly questioned by the Turkish team during the winter transfer window, but City did not want him to depart in the middle of the season.
However, with Mateo Kovacic due to return from an achilles issue in mid-September, Rodri back to full fitness following a catastrophic knee injury, and Pep Guardiola having signed Nico González in February and Tijjani Reijnders this window, Gündogan’s playing time may be limited.
Even though Gündogan’s contract was extended for another year at the end of the previous campaign when he reached a specific number of minutes, he might be free to depart without paying anything. The German is thought to want to play for Galatasaray, the Super Lig champions, and his parents were born in Turkey.
The 35-year-old former Germany international said he still had a lot to give. “In football, there seems to be a current trend of people saying things like, ‘This player is too old,’ or ‘This one can no longer run.'” But in football, this has always existed.
