Ilkay Gundogan opens door to Manchester City exit despite emotional reunion with Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester City may yet bid farewell to Ilkay Gundogan once again during the German’s career at the club, having only recently been reunited with the 33-year-old.

The former Germany international made a sensational return to the Etihad Stadium during the tail end of the recent summer transfer window, following complications over his stay at FC Barcelona.

It is widely understood that Gundogan was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Hansi Flick when it was made clear that Barcelona were continuing to fail to register new stars including Dani Olmo as a result of financial restraints.

As such, Gundogan sought out the interest of clubs across Europe, with Manchester City very quickly emerging as frontrunners for the midfielder in their search for new recruits into that area of the park.

However, Gundogan’s next steps in football have already been discussed, despite only being a matter of weeks into his latest spell at the Etihad Stadium, as he has been quizzed on a possible move elsewhere in the game.

Speaking with MailSport journalist Ian Ladyman recently, Ilkay Gundogan opened the door to a staggering move into Turkish football before his top-level professional playing career is brought to an end.

Quizzed on whether he could ever see himself playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray, Gundogan responded, “Never say never. It would be something that would fill me with pride but at the end of the day you have to look at the circumstances at a certain time.”

Gundogan continued by offering some realism on the situation, “The reality is that I am here playing for the best club and the best football team in the world. I don’t think there is anything comparable to that right now.

“But I have always followed the football since I was young, taking the football to bed with me as a young kid. Until the end of my life I don’t want to miss it. There is a joy and a togetherness that comes from football.

“You get to spend time with amazing people. You are never alone in football.”

Ilkay Gundogan is likely to be called upon numerous times this season given Manchester City’s relentless fixture schedule, with a primary example of the demanding match list coming this week and the visit of Watford.

The Carabao Cup third round clash against the Hornets has been scheduled to kick-off just 49 hours after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal ended on Sunday afternoon, meaning Pep Guardiola must rotate his squad heavily with player wellbeing in mind.