One more departure from Manchester City appears to be imminent as Pep Guardiola’s squad takes shape | OneFootball

The moves of Manuel Akanji and Ederson to Inter Milan and Fenerbahce should be made official this morning. Both players have been key contributors for Manchester City in their recent era of success. But as City continue their rebuild, experienced players have to make way to give younger players the opportunities they need to grow. It now seems that one more player will depart Manchester City today. That is Ilkay Gundogan. Gundogan looks poised to complete a move to Galatasaray later today. Pep Guardiola’s squad has now taken shape after a busy summer.

Ilkay Gundogan is set to travel to Istanbul today.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Ilkay Gundogan is set to travel to Istanbul today. Furthermore, Romano reports that if everything goes to plan, Gundogan will sign for Galatasaray on a contract that expires in 2027.

In a separate report that emerged late yesterday, Fabrizio Romano also reported that Manchester City and Galatasaray had agreed on a deal that would see Ilkay Gundogan move to Turkey. The move was dependent on Gundogan agreeing to move to Galatasaray.

The Manchester City squad looks to be set after a busy summer.

With Manuel Akanji and Ederson having left Manchester City, and Ilkay Gundogan seemingly set to join them, Pep Guardiola’s squad now looks to be set for what lies ahead. There was a need for City to let players go to trim the size of their squad. They achieved this yesterday and the expected departure of Ilkay Gundogan looks to be the last domino to fall.

If Gundogan completes a move to Galatasaray, his departure will give Nico and Nico O’Reilly the opportunity to play a more prominent role in midfield. Both players figure to be important players in Manchester City’s future. The future is now for Pep Guardiola’s side.

To take the next step in their rebuild, experienced players had to leave City. That has been a theme of the summer. Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji, and Ederson have all left the club. Ilkay Gundogan looks set to join them. That leaves a void in Pep Guardiola’s squad and it is up to Manchester City’s younger players to fill it. To do that, they need opportunities to play. Ilkay Gundogan’s expected departure does create one in midfield. The German midfielder was a key player last season for Pep Guardiola. It is now up to one of the younger players to seize the opportunity on offer.

It appears that it is only a matter of time before Ilkay Gundogan completes a move to Galatasaray. After returning to Manchester City last summer from Barcelona he played a key role last season for his team. If he does leave for Turkey it will create an opportunity for someone else. That is the cycle that City are in and how Pep Guardiola’s side fares without one of their most experienced players will be fascinating to watch play out.