Change is coming to Manchester City this summer.
The 2024/25 campaign has been a disappointment for the Manchester club in the context of the rest of the Pep Guardiola era at the Etihad Stadium, but it could still be salvaged should City qualify for the Champions League and win the FA Cup.
Guardiola believes Champions League football is an achievement for Man City, and the Manchester club took a step closer to it on Tuesday night with their 2-1 win over Aston Villa, which will help the Premier League champions recruit the players they want this summer.
There will also be several exits and it remains to be seen if Ilkay Gundogan will be one of them as the midfielder has made his intentions clear.
- READ MORE: Why Ilkay Gundogan was actually ‘disappointed’ on the day he saved Man City vs Aston Villa in 2022
Ilkay Gundogan hopes to remain at Man City
Gundogan is undoubtedly a Man City legend after the sensational career he has put together over the last decade in Manchester, however, the German star has underperformed this season.
The 34-year-old was brought back to the Etihad from Barcelona last summer, but it has not worked out so far, with Man City fans showing their frustrations with Gundogan at times throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Age has clearly played a role in the German star’s form, but having played in 45 matches for Man City this season, that has triggered a one-year extension in the midfielder’s current deal, and it is being reported that the City legend has no intentions of leaving before it expires.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Gundogan currently has no plans to end his career or leave Man City this summer. His intention is to stay with the Manchester club for one more season and fulfil his contract, despite interest from several sides.
This doesn’t mean that the 34-year-old will stay at Man City next season as the Premier League champions can still accept offers for his sale, as a move to Galatasaray is something that interests Gundogan before his career comes to an end.
Ilkay Gundogan reacts to Man City’s win vs Aston Villa
Man City are unlikely to allow Gundogan to leave this summer as Guardiola will want some experience around his squad as Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
The German featured for the full 90 minutes against Aston Villa on Tuesday night and played a key role in the win as Gary Neville praised Gundogan for the run he made into the Villa box for Bernardo Silva’s goal.
This was a key feature in the midfielder’s game when he was in his prime at City and the veteran star made use of it against Unai Emery’s side and took to social media after the contest to express his delight in earning three points.
“What a crucial win!!! A huge step for us – Let’s gooo Cityyyy… !!!,” Gundogan posted on his X account after the Villa win.
Next season promises to be a better campaign for everyone at Man City with their top players returning to form, which could see the best brought out of Gundogan again.
Keeping the 34-year-old is a smart decision by Guardiola as City have many young stars within their squad that can benefit from the German star’s knowledge and leadership.
