Ilkay Gundogan’s future will be determined after the season is over amid speculation that he is set to leave Manchester City this summer. A report has suggested the Germany international, Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Blues boss, will be offloaded in the next transfer window, when he has a year left on his current contract.
The 31-year-old midfielder has had a fine season for City, but long-standing injury problems in his back and knee appear to have limited his appearances, and the report suggests the club wants to sell while they can still get a decent fee.
They would expect to recoup all of their £20million outlay for the player, if not more, as Gundogan has been an integral part of their unprecedented success in the last six years. But Gundogan’s agent is said to be furious at the report, especially as it comes just days before the climax of the season, when Gundogan, and City, can make it a historic four titles in five years by beating Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
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The fact that Gundogan was spotted at the private jet terminal at Manchester Airport on Monday morning fuelled the rumours, as both Real Madrid and Barcelona have previously shown an interest in signing the former Borussia Dortmund star. But it appears that Gundogan was flying to Rome with his fiancée after the entire squad was given two days off following their 2-2 draw at West Ham which set up the need for a win on Sunday.
City have already lined up Erling Haaland and signed Julian Alvarez for their attack for next season and are said to be in the market for a midfielder, with Fernandinho announcing recently he would be leaving the club this summer to return to Brazil.
Already short of a midfielder, City could further promote Cole Palmer and James McAtee for next season, but could also be tempted into the market - but they have distanced themselves from moves for West Ham ace Declan Rice and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
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