Ilkay Gundogan seeks Barcelona exit amid transfer speculation
Ilkay Gundogan has reportedly asked to leave Barcelona, just a year after his high-profile move from Manchester City.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who joined the Catalan giants on a free transfer in 2023, seems to be eyeing a departure amid tensions behind the scenes.
According to sources in Spain, Gundogan has communicated his desire to exit the club to Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.
The news comes as a surprise, given the German international’s solid debut season, where he quickly became an integral part of Barcelona’s midfield.
Despite his on-field success, Gundogan’s future has been the subject of much speculation this summer.
Reports have linked him with moves to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where clubs like Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are reportedly eager to bring him in.
Barcelona has yet to make an official statement, but the club appears open to the idea of offloading Gundogan. The potential sale could help Barcelona reduce their wage bill, a pressing concern as they continue to navigate financial challenges.
The arrival of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig and the emergence of young talent Marc Casado have bolstered Barcelona’s midfield options, making Gundogan’s departure more feasible.
Interestingly, Gundogan was left out of Barcelona’s squad for their La Liga opener against Valencia. While the club cited a fitness issue—stemming from a head injury he suffered in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Monaco—speculation is rife that his omission could be related to his unsettled future.
As the transfer window edges closer to its deadline, all eyes will be on Barcelona and Gundogan to see if a move materializes.
His departure would mark an unexpected twist in what was initially seen as a perfect fit between player and club.
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