Galatasaray Eye Ilkay Gündogan Move Amid Manchester City Reshuffle
Galatasaray are reportedly hopeful of signing Ilkay Gündogan from Manchester City this summer, as the Turkish champions look to reinforce their midfield ahead of a demanding 2025/26 campaign.
The interest in Gündogan marks the latest twist in what is shaping up to be a highly active transfer window under Hugo Viana — Manchester City’s newly appointed Director of Football. The Portuguese official, who succeeded Txiki Begiristain earlier this year, is navigating his first summer market with a clear intent to refresh the squad across key areas.
Following four first-team additions in the January window, City have already secured another quartet of new signings ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. This includes a new third-choice goalkeeper, brought in to replace veteran Scott Carson, who recently left the club following the expiration of his contract.
Ilkay Gündogan, 34, triggered a one-year extension to his City deal after surpassing a specific percentage of minutes played last season under Pep Guardiola. However, his long-term future at the Etihad remains uncertain references to cityxtra.co.uk
Galatasaray, who have already signed Gündogan’s former City teammate Leroy Sané this summer, are keen to bring the German international to Istanbul. The club sees him as an experienced and technically gifted figure capable of dictating tempo and adding leadership in the middle of the park.
Gündogan initially left Manchester City in the summer of 2023 after captaining the club to a historic Treble. He joined Barcelona on a free transfer, but returned to City just 12 months later amid injuries and tactical reshuffling.
Despite being expected to play a reduced role, Gündogan ended up making 50 appearances across all competitions last season, featuring in key fixtures such as City’s 2–0 victory over Wydad AC in the FIFA Club World Cup. Speaking recently, the midfielder acknowledged the physical toll of the campaign and hinted at needing clarity over his role moving forward.
With Turkish heritage and an illustrious career in Europe’s top leagues, Gündogan’s potential move to Galatasaray would represent both a sentimental return and a strategic signing for the Süper Lig giants.
