Galatasaray, one of Turkey’s footballing giants, is reportedly eyeing a summer move for Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gündogan.
The Turkish club had previously approached Gündogan’s representatives last summer, but the player opted to return to the Etihad Stadium after a brief stint at Barcelona.
January Move Unlikely
Despite Gündogan’s Turkish roots, Galatasaray acknowledges that a January transfer is unlikely.
The 34-year-old remains a vital part of Pep Guardiola‘s plans as Manchester City aims to maintain their domestic and European campaigns.
However, there is growing optimism that a deal could materialize during the summer transfer window, especially if City reshuffles their midfield with fresh signings.
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Competing Interest and Gündogan’s Recent Form
Gündogan, who has also been linked with Inter Milan, has made 25 appearances for Manchester City since rejoining from Barcelona.
However, the midfielder has struggled to replicate the stellar form he displayed before his 2023 move to Camp Nou.
At 34, Gündogan has hinted at the possibility of playing for one more European club before considering a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia to conclude his career.
His international career with Germany came to an end in 2024, having earned 82 caps.
Contract and Future Prospects
After mutually terminating his contract with Barcelona, Gündogan rejoined Manchester City in August 2024 on a one-year deal with an option to extend until 2026.
A decision regarding the contract extension is yet to be made. His recent appearances for City have been limited, with his last start in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on December 21.
Manchester City’s January Plans
As City evaluates their midfield options, the club is reportedly interested in signing Atalanta’s Brazilian international Éderson during the January transfer window.
The potential arrival of a new midfielder could further shape Gündogan’s future at the club.
Galatasaray will be closely monitoring the situation as they prepare for a potential summer bid. With Gündogan’s ties to Turkey and his wealth of experience, he could bring a significant boost to their squad next season.
