Ilkay Gundogan is one of many Manchester City players whose future appears uncertain, following his return to the club last summer.
Ilkay Gundogan returned to Man City last summer signing on a one-year contract. City though have the option to extend the 34-year-old’s contract by a further year should they wish.
The 82-cap German international spent just one year at Barcelona after previously spending seven at the Etihad. Since returning, the midfielder has taken his total City appearances tally to an incredible 340, with 62 goals and 38 assists along the way.
This season he’s played 23 times in the Premier League for Pep Guardiola’s side, assisting twice, with 36 appearances, two goals and two assists in all competitions for the struggling Cityzens, who sit in 4th place of the Premier League table.
Times are hard for City right now who’ve recently been beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League, and silenced by Premier League leaders Liverpool in a 2-0 defeat on Monday night.
It’s understood that Guardiola is set to oversee a summer rebuild at Man City with the likes of Gundogan possibly one of many set to move on.
Ilkay Gundogan would favour dream Galatasaray move if he leaves Man City
Gundogan is set to be liable for a contract extension at Manchester City, but it is not certain that he sees his immediate future at the Etihad, we have been told.
Sources believe that 34-year-old Gundogan and his family are very happy in Manchester, having arrived back from Barcelona last year, but on a deal until the end of the season.
City are open to Gundogan staying and the idea of a possible coaching role within Guardiola’s staff for when he finishes playing has been floated.
However, we understand that Gundogan still harbours one ambition in his career and that is to play in Turkey – the land of his parents. He also grew up as a massive Galatasaray fan and we are told they do have an interest in landing him this summer, but no talks have taken place.
Talks are due to take place in the coming weeks between City and Gundogan.
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Gary Lineker thinks time might be up for Ilkay Gundogan at Man City
Speaking recently, Gary Lineker gave his verdict on City’s ageing players, suggesting that many have simply lost their legs during this Premier League season.
The likes of Kevin De Bruyne has been criticised by Man City fans for his most recently leggy performance against Liverpool, with fans also sad to see the decline of De Bruyne and many of his teammates.
Lineker thinks Gundogan is one who’s ‘certainly’ past his best now, saying: “Yeah, there’s probably De Bruyne, who wasn’t obviously on the pitch [against Real Madrid in the first leg], but possibly Bernardo Silva, most certainly Gundogan, 34 years of age. Kyle Walker left, obviously, but the experienced players. I think, I think there’s an element of truth in that.”
The final weeks of the season will decipher who stays and who goes at the Etihad this summer. Either way, Gundogan will certainly have options, and at 34, the time might be perfect for him to seal a dream move to Galatasaray, with the Turkish giants keen on the deal.
