From Germany: Departure not excluded for Manchester City first-team star

A departure for Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan cannot be excluded this summer, according to new reports from Germany.

The 32 year-old is into the final months of his current Manchester City contract, and while the focus will almost certainly be on succeeding on the pitch, there is a sense of urgency from within the club that they need to understand his future intentions soon.

The future of Ilkay Gundogan is expected to play a significant part in the club’s transfer plans for the upcoming summer transfer window, as City seek to recruit in midfield regardless of whether the Germany international remains or leave the club.

However, should Gundogan bring an end to his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium this summer, then the expectation is that Manchester City officials could look into signing two central midfielder as opposed to just the one.

For now, the reigning Premier League champions are to be kept in limbo, with Ilkay Gundogan said to still be keeping the club in the dark over what he intends to do at the end of the ongoing campaign.

That is according to the information of Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany, who reports that there is still no decision from Ilkay Gundogan as to whether the Manchester City will extend his contract beyond this season or not.

With that being said however, the report highlights that there is no deadline on when Gundogan must make a decision by, and it is stated that the Germany international wants to take his time over a decision at a time when his personal life is set to see a significant change.

Ilkay Gundogan’s family situation is said to have ‘a big influence’ on his decision, with the Manchester City midfielder becoming a father to his first child in the coming days, and as such, a departure is ‘not excluded’, according to Sky Germany.

In the background, work will continue at Manchester City over plans to sign a new central midfielder this summer, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham understood to be their number one transfer target in the position.

City face an intense battle to sign the impressive 19 year-old England international, with both Real Madrid and Liverpool showing a keen interesting in signing the player this summer.

However, with the Bundesliga giants expected to demand a staggering transfer fee for Jude Bellingham – possibly in excess of £120 million – Manchester City may feel that they have the financial advantage in the race for the player in particular.