Galatasaray can only sign Barcelona midfielder if he arrives for free | OneFootball

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

The final weeks of the summer transfer window are beginning to get busy for FC Barcelona. Despite their efforts to solve lingering issues, it seems that La Blaugrana will have to continue dealing with problems until the last day. Moreover, before Barcelona can even think of more signings, they need to sort out their departures.

As it stands, several players at Barça are not exactly sporting guarantees for Hansi Flick and are thus considered surplus to requirement. Moreover, with the club having a rather fragile financial situation, it is understandable that they would like to get some deadweight off and save important salary space.

One of the players who could end up helping in an unexpected way, however, is Ilkay Gundogan. Despite being one of the team’s protagonists last season, the player has his own reasons and factors to believe that his presence in the team will not be as significant as the last campaign.

Due to this, the German midfielder has begun to look for ways out and will need to find a solution soon. According to SPORT, one of the options that could entice the player the most is that of Turkish side Galatasaray. With Gundogan holding a sentimental value for this specific option, a move could end up taking place.

However, the Turkish side would only be able to take on Gundogan’s arrival if he can arrive as a free agent. For Barcelona, this is not a major concern as their main priority is to deal with the excessive salaries in the squad. By taking out Gundogan’s part in it, the Catalan giants could save a sizeable chunk of it.

Manchester City is another option that Gundogan reportedly studied as well, but SPORT highlights that it seems like an unlikely one at this moment in time. However, it is certainly being reported by several sources now that Gundogan’s future remains unclear and a lot could happen between now and the end of the window.

Furthermore, it is stated that both Barcelona and Galatasaray would want the player to make a decision soon. They want to have enough time left in the market to study their other options as well right afterwards. Yet, the report suggests that Barcelona will not actively push the player to leave and it will ultimately have to be his active decision that plays a major role in dictating his future.