Ilkay Gundogan could reportedly leave Manchester City this summer and Galatasaray are interested in luring the midfielder to Turkey.
The 34-year-old re-joined Man City on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer after a challenging experience in Catalonia and he has since featured regularly under Pep Guardiola this season.
Gundogan has arguably played more regularly that many would have expected this term, on several occasions as a deep-lying midfielder, following the loss of star lynchpin Rodri to injury back in September last year.
The Germany international has started 30 of his 42 games for Man City across all competitions, chipping in with two goals and three assists for a Citizens side that have endured a difficult 2024-25 campaign overall.
Gundogan will go down as a Man City legend, as in the seven years prior to joining Barcelona he made over 300 appearances for the Citizens, won 14 trophies and captained the club to a historic treble in 2022-23, lifting their first ever Champions League title.
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Galatasaray plotting ambitious move for Gundogan amidst Man City uncertainty
However, Gundogan has struggled to replicate his heroics from previous seasons and is one of several Man City players who has lacked the energy and pace required in midfield to thrive in Guardiola's system.
Man City's No.19 is due to see his contract expire at the end of June and the club have the option to trigger a one-year contract extension in the summer.
However, according to Fichajes, the midfielder is one of the names that Guardiola 'does not consider a priority' in his planning for next season.
Gundogan is said to be one Man City player who could leave the Etihad Stadium this summer as part of the club's rebuild and Galatasaray have identified him as a 'strategic opportunity', knowing that he could be available for free in a few months' time.
The Turkish Super Lig title hopefuls have regularly been linked with Gundogan and are said to be preparing an 'ambitious move' ahead of next season.
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Would a move to Galatasaray appeal to Gundogan?
Gundogan was born in Gelsenkirchen and earned 82 international caps for Germany, but both of his parents are Turkish and he grew up in a household full of Galatasaray supporters.
Earlier this season, the midfielder refused to rule out the possibility of finishing his career at his boyhood club Galatasaray, telling reporters: "Never say never. It would be something that would fill me with pride, but at the end of the day you have to look at the circumstances at a certain time."
A transfer for Gundogan to Galatasaray "would make everyone happy" according to head coach Okan Buruk, who was asked earlier in the campaign about the possibility of signing the midfielder in the future.
"Every team wants Ilkay Gundogan," Buruk told reporters. "We all know he is a good Galatasaray player. If he wears the Galatasaray jersey one day, it would make everyone happy."
Gundogan could become the second high-profile midfielder to leave Man City this summer after Kevin De Bruyne, who announced last week that he will be leaving the club after 10 glittering years when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Oliver Thomas
