Ilkay Gundogan breaks silence on Manchester City transfer talk amid Galatasaray interest | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan has spoken out on recent speculation surrounding his Etihad Stadium future amid growing interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

The 34-year-old is heading into his final year of contract as things stand at Manchester City, having already surpassed initial expectations over just how long he would stay at the club having returned from FC Barcelona last summer.

One year on from departing on a free transfer for Camp Nou off the back of City’s Treble success in 2023, Gundogan found himself surplus to requirements amid financial difficulties at the Catalan club, leading to Etihad officials moving swiftly to bring him back for free.

Signing a one-year deal with Manchester City, Gundogan’s initial deal included an automatic extension clause by a further 12 months that would be triggered upon reaching an undisclosed number of minutes in Pep Guardiola’s side last season.

Registering 50 appearances across all competitions, and perhaps significantly more than anyone would have anticipated last summer, Ilkay Gundogan now finds himself preparing for another season with Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 6-0 win over Al Ain at the FIFA Club World Cup and his brace in the contest, Gundogan spoke of the importance in competing for places with fellow teammates, and his firm desire to see out his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

“I’m sure, in case no one leaves until the end of the transfer window, that’s going to happen [everyone getting opportunities],” Gundogan responded when quizzed on Pep Guardiola’s dilemma in handing out sufficient game time to all the names within the current squad.

The former Germany international continued, “But it’s important to compete between each other because at the end of the day that brings the best out of everyone and this is what the club needs.”

Continuing on the subject of his own future amid growing discussion around a possible exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer, Gundogan said, “I have one more year left on my contract and I’m very happy here. I think everybody knows that.

“I’m committed to competition [for places] and enjoying my football. I still believe I have several years at the highest level by taking good care of myself. I’ve proven it last season where I didn’t miss a game. I’m available, I’m fit, I want to play at the highest level for much longer.”

Pep Guardiola also remains a huge fan of a player that he selected to be one of his very first signings as Manchester City manager back in 2016, as the Catalan coach said on Sunday night, “He’s an exceptional player! Exceptional in all senses.

“He’s really, really good and made a fantastic goal, he reads what we have to do every game. I’m really pleased!”

And the work between the pair is also built on immense mutual respect and admiration, with Ilkay Gundogan saying of his manager, “It’s a big privilege [to work for him], otherwise I would’ve not joined again, I would’ve not spent so many years with him at this club.

“It’s just something he has, that he’s able to do, to make players feel they have to compete at the highest level, reach their best to be able to play in this team first of all. But also every training session, every game is just a joy.

“That’s why he’s the best, that’s why he’s won so much, so many titles, and that’s why also probably all the players in the world would love to play for him.”

For now, it remains to be seen whether the likes of Galatasaray and Manchester City progress any further in initial discussions over a deal for Ilkay Gundogan, with recent reports indicating an intent from the side of the player to make the switch.

However, comments from the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder himself issue a clearer idea as to where he stands on his own club future, despite talk over the player being part of a planned trimming of Guardiola’s playing squad in the coming weeks.