Manchester City midfielder jets out of England to complete Etihad Stadium exit | OneFootball

Ilkay Gundogan is due to travel to Istanbul on Tuesday ahead of finalising his Manchester City exit, according to reports.

The German midfielder only returned to the Etihad Stadium last summer following one year with FC Barcelona, but his reunion with Pep Guardiola’s squad looks set to last just 12 months – and being cut short by a year.

With fresh midfield arrivals such as Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez already secured over the last nine months, Manchester City are reshaping their squad, leaving Gundogan facing a new chapter abroad.

Galatasaray have been strongly linked with the 34-year-old throughout August, and reports in Turkey have gradually indicated progress in talks over recent weeks. At first, suggestions of a potential package deal involving Gundogan, Ederson, and Manuel Akanji emerged, but Galatasaray have now zoned in on just the former Barcelona star.

City, meanwhile, have been open to allowing Gundogan to depart once an agreement was in place with the player. Having already handed out a short-term extension this summer, club officials were willing to respect his decision to take on a new challenge should the right offer arrive.

And according to the information of Haber Sarikirmizi, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Ilkay Gundogan will be arriving in Turkey on Tuesday afternoon ahead of completing a permanent move to Galatasaray.

The vice president of the Istanbul club, Abdullah Kavukcu will see his private jet depart the UK on Tuesday morning, arriving in Istanbul at 12pm local time with the former Germany international onboard.

From the side of the player, it is claimed that the experienced central midfielder has agreed a salary of €7 million plus bonuses, while a transfer fee agreed with Manchester City has not been disclosed.

Should the deal be finalised as expected, Gundogan will become one of Galatasaray’s marquee additions, joining a side that continues to build its squad with European competition in mind. For City, the exit marks the end of a decorated chapter, with Gundogan having played a key role in the club’s Premier League and Champions League successes under Guardiola.

Looking ahead, speculation will now turn to how City address their midfield depth. While the arrivals of Reijnders and Gonzalez strengthen options, Gundogan’s leadership and experience will be difficult to replicate.

Pep Guardiola has often leaned on the German in decisive moments, making his departure both a tactical and emotional adjustment. For Gundogan himself, the move to Istanbul represents both a homecoming of sorts, with strong family ties to Turkey, and an opportunity to finish his career as a leading figure at a club with massive support.