Turkish giants Galatasaray are in talks to sign both Thomas Partey and Ilkay Gundogan, TBR Football understands.
Thomas Partey is leaving Arsenal this summer after failing to agree a new contract with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal plan to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford to replace the 32-year-old, who made 52 appearances across all competitions last season.
In terms of Ilkay Gundogan, the 34-year-old made 50 appearances himself in Manchester City’s midfield last season, after returning from Barcelona.
Gundogan signed a two-year deal with Pep Guardiola’s side, but he might not see out that contract if Galatasaray have their way.
Galatasaray want to sign Thomas Partey and Ilkay Gundogan
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Galatasaray approached Gundogan prior to the Club World Cup.
Sources have confirmed that Man City are open to Gundogan’s possible departure and a move to Turkey is believed to appeal to the midfielder.
Ilkay Gundogan during Man City's Champions League clash.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Galatasaray want at least one high-calibre midfielder to come in this summer, and both Gundogan and Partey have been presented with initial offers during talks.
However, the Turkish side are also speaking to Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu.
The Turkey international is believed to be pushing hard for a move to Galatasaray this summer, having made 47 appearances for Inter last season.
In terms of Partey’s future, the 32-year-old is also in talks to join Galatasaray’s rivals Fenerbahce on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal.
TBR Football reported back in April that Arsenal were highly unlikely to keep Partey beyond his current deal, and it was Barcelona who were predominantly showing interest at the time.
Man City have already signed their Ilkay Gundogan replacement
Partly because of Rodri’s injury last season, Gundogan played a considerable role for Guardiola despite his age.
In fact, when speaking last October, Guardiola praised Gundogan’s ‘strong mentality’ after a 4-0 win against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.
Gundogan had just endured a tough showing against Newcastle United in the match prior, but Guardiola was impressed with how he bounced back.
He said: “We know he can do it, it’s a strong mentality. The game in Newcastle was not really, really good. Maybe one of the worst I’ve seen with him in the last eight or nine years.
“His position, holding midfielder, is so intelligent and he played a fantastic game today.”
And whilst Gundogan is still a useful member of this City squad, Guardiola now has Nico Gonzalez, Rodri back fit and new signing Tijjani Reijnders available in central areas.
Therefore, the club might be hoping that Gundogan’s talks with Galatasaray reach a positive conclusion.