Ilkay Gundogan retirement plans revealed as European giants plot summer transfer for Manchester City midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan believes he has one final big move remaining in European football before finalising his football career elsewhere, according to reports.

The former Germany international made a sensational return to Pep Guardiola’s side towards the end of the last summer transfer window, after financial complications at Barcelona forced the La Liga side to identify the midfielder as the player they would have to let go of.

Having lost Gundogan on a free transfer after their historic Treble-winning season of 2022/23, Manchester City brought the veteran back into their midfield armoury in the exact same circumstances, issuing the player with a one-year contract.

However, performances have been far from what they used to be from Ilkay Gundogan, who has been depended upon far more often than many would have suspected prior to the season intensifying, with injury and fitness problems limiting options significantly.

And as a direct result, there is already a suspicion in various quarters that the former Borussia Dortmund man may be one of the players who is granted an exit from Manchester City as part of the club’s intended rebuild across 2025.

According to the information of ESPN’s Rob Dawson, Turkish giants Galatasaray are currently plotting a summer move for the Manchester City midfielder, having felt that there was no prospect of luring the former Germany international to Istanbul in January.

As for the stance taken by the 34-year-old, the report claims that Ilkay Gundogan believes he could play for one more club in European football, before possibly sealing a move to Saudi Arabia to end an illustrious playing career.

Regardless of what the future holds for Ilkay Gundogan beyond the conclusion of the ongoing season, there is likely to be no feeling of regret from the player over a short return to Manchester City during the final stages of his career.

Gundogan has spoken fondly about his return to the club on various occasions, most recently telling Manchester City’s official website, “I’m enjoying the energy I get from the team, the banter, enjoying being with team-mates.

“I’ve missed a lot of people in the last year and being back feels like being back home. The way everything went, it was very smooth and easy and that was an amazing time for me. Even things like the weather you start to appreciate when you don’t have it anymore!

“I’m enjoying playing football at such a high standard with incredible players and incredible management.”