Cliff Notes – Galatasaray monitoring Man City’s Ilkay Gündogan – sources
- Galatasaray is considering a move for Ilkay Gündogan if he becomes available this summer, amid increased competition for midfield spots at Manchester City.
- Gündogan, under contract until 2026, has strong ties to Turkey and is reportedly open to a transfer before the end of his career.
- The 34-year-old, who captained City during their treble-winning season, has not been included in the leadership group for the upcoming season.
Galatasaray monitoring Man City’s Ilkay Gündogan – sources
Galatasaray are monitoring Ilkay Gündogan’s situation at Manchester City, sources have told ESPN, and would be prepared to make a move for the midfielder if he becomes available this summer.
Gündogan is under contract at City until 2026 after a one-year option in his contract was triggered at the end of last season.
The 34-year-old is part of Pep Guardiola’s squad in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup. However, there is extra competition for places in midfield following the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rodri’s return from injury.
Sources have told ESPN that Galatasaray chiefs are convinced that Gündogan would favour a move to Istanbul if a decision is made later in the summer that he can leave the Etihad Stadium.
Ilkay Gündogan will be 35 in October. Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Galatasaray are also in the market for a full-back and are keen to bring back Sacha Boey from Bayern Munich.
Gündogan has strong links to Turkey and would be open to playing there before the end of his career.
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The former Germany international, who was City’s captain when they won the treble in 2023, was not named in the leadership group last season after his return from Barcelona.
Gündogan has also not been included in the leadership group ahead of the new season after Guardiola selected Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland.
Gündogan will be 35 in October, but he has insisted there is still a role for older players in top teams.
“You need experienced players on the pitch,” he said.
“I know that when I was 18 or 19, I was looking up to those experienced players. Just by watching what they did, and how they did it, I learnt. It wasn’t always necessary for them to say anything.
“All young players need some experience around them. Sometimes you don’t have to work harder but work smarter.”