Ilkay Gündogan Set To Join Galatasaray After Manchester City Deal Agreed

Galatasaray and Manchester City have agreed on Ilkay Gündogan’s transfer. The Turkish club awaits Gündogan’s final approval for a two-year contract.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Galatasaray agreed to pay Manchester City about £3.5 million for Gündogan. He returned to City from Barcelona last summer but can’t regularly play under Pep Guardiola this season. City is reshaping its squad with new hires and authorized Gündogan to leave. He is in Turkey for a medical check and to negotiate a contract. The potential contract matches his current City salary and adds another year of security.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Manchester City is making major changes. They are offloading experienced players like goalkeeper Ederson, who is joining Fenerbahce, as a report confirmed that they have already rejected an offer of €12 million from Fenerbahçe for Ederson. New signings pushed Gündogan further down the depth chart. He has played little this season and hasn’t scored or assisted in the Premier League. Currently, Manchester City is facing challenges, being mid-table in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool. Galatasaray are leading in the Süper Lig, ahead of Fenerbahce by two points, and they are looking forward to competing in the Champions League group stage. Gündogan’s international experience and previous success in England and Spain could enhance their domestic and European ambitions.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

If Gündogan agrees, he will go to Istanbul and join Galatasaray’s Süper Lig championship race. Galatasaray’s next match is against 11th-placed Konyaspor, while Fenerbahce plays Kayserispor. Both clubs are level on points, and each match is crucial for the championship race. Meanwhile, the departure of another senior midfielder gives new signings and young players more responsibility ahead of Man City’s encounter against Manchester United, which is ahead of them with one more point.