Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gündoğan Agrees Personal Terms with Galatasaray Amid Manchester City Exit Talk
Manchester, England – Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray, signaling a potential departure from the Etihad Stadium this summer. T
his development comes as manager Pep Guardiola looks to trim his squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Sources close to Esteemed Kompany indicate that Gündoğan’s preferred destination, should he leave Manchester City, is Galatasaray. The German international has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the option of a one-year extension with the Istanbul club.
However, a significant hurdle remains: Galatasaray’s insistence on acquiring Gündoğan on a free transfer. It is currently unclear whether Manchester City will sanction such a move for the experienced midfielder.
Why Gündoğan Could Depart
Gündoğan has long been considered a prime candidate for an exit as City navigates a squad rebuild. At 34 years old and with the recent summer signing of Tijjani Reijnders, as well as the need to provide more opportunities for emerging talents like Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis in midfield, Gündoğan’s playing time could be significantly limited next season. For these young prospects to step into more central roles, a departure from the midfield ranks appears necessary.
While Gündoğan has previously expressed a desire to remain at Manchester City, a move to Galatasaray could prove beneficial for both parties. For the player, it offers the chance to spend the final years of his storied career in a new league, potentially as a central figure for a top club. For Manchester City, it would mark the beginning of Guardiola’s planned squad reduction, allowing for greater flexibility and development of younger talent.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Galatasaray’s determination to sign Gündoğan on a free transfer aligns with Manchester City’s plans for their long-serving midfielder.