Manchester City Will Not Let This 34-year-old Player Leave The Club This Summer: Should The Club Retain Him? | OneFootball

In a period of subtle but steady readjustments, Manchester City are taking calculated steps to reconfigure their core. The 2024-25 season brought more questions than answers, and some iconic players might be on the move. The team that dominated with authority in previous years is now watching age, injury and emotional wear and tear intersect with forward planning decisions.

Pep Guardiola, who remains at the helm, has begun to make room for the new. However, not all veterans have the same fate. While Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish have been dropped from the project, there is one figure who still generates internal debate: Ilkay Gundogan.

Manchester City Will Not Let Ilkay Gundogan Leave

As revealed by Football Insider, the club are contemplating blocking a summer exit for the experienced German midfielder. The 34-year-old Gundogan has caught the eye of Galatasaray, who moved quickly after learning of his contract situation.

Last season showed signs of player fatigue, with inconsistent appearances and less impact than in previous seasons. Even so, there remains a belief in the corridors of the Etihad that his presence can serve as an anchor and guide for new signings. The fact that Guardiola still values his influence in the dressing room indicates a reluctance to simply let him go, despite the clear start of a generational transition.

Opinion:

In my view, retaining Gundogan is not an easy decision. On the one hand, his experience can be crucial in a squad that is letting go of its most recognisable figures. The German has been a reliable soldier at key moments and knows Guardiola’s system like few others. If he accepts a reduced but strategic role, he can be an important asset, especially in decisive phases of the season.

However, there is an obvious danger in blocking his exit. If Galatasaray offer a more attractive contract and assured minutes, keeping him on the sidelines may create unnecessary tension. Furthermore, preventing a natural turnover in the squad could hinder the growth of younger players looking for minutes in the same space on the pitch.

Another point to consider is the message the club are sending out by keeping the 34-year-old while letting go of De Bruyne and Grealish. Is there consistency in the decisions, or is it a reactive move?

If the German is no longer performing at a consistently high level, there is a risk of keeping a player for nostalgia rather than for the present. The balance between experience and renewal has always been fragile, and in this case, the clock is ticking. City must decide whether to prioritise legacy or the immediate future.