Ilkay Gundogan's football odyssey: A twist in the Barcelona tale
- Rob Fleming
- 16 November 2023
Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan made headlines when he left Manchester City to lead the charge for the Blaugrana under the tutelage of Xavi Hernandez.
Despite his pivotal role, Turkish reports now suggest a surprising twist – Gundogan may be eyeing a move to Galatasaray, and he seems prepared to go the extra mile to make it happen.
Noted journalist Burhan Can Terzi revealed via SPORT that representatives from Galatasaray engaged in talks with Gundogan in Germany after the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich in early November, exploring the possibility of a transfer.
According to Terzi, Gundogan is resolute about not concluding his career without wearing the Galatasaray jersey, a club close to his heart since childhood. "Gundogan conveyed to his agent that he is approaching the twilight of his career and wishes to sport the Galatasaray colours before retiring," shared the journalist.
Digging deeper into the matter, Terzi reported, "Gundogan expressed his readiness to discuss this matter with Barcelona." Galatasaray are reportedly leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure him, recognizing the potential for a significant impact in front of their passionate fanbase.
In a recent statement, Gundogan admitted the peculiarity of potentially facing Turkey with the German national team, given his enduring affinity for the Turkish side. Having committed to a three-season stint with Barcelona, the midfielder comes with a hefty release clause of €400million.
