Ilkay Gundogan Will Be Released By Manchester City To Galatasaray

JAKARTA - Ilkay Gundogan almost moved from Manchester City to Galatasaray on a free transfer.

The midfielder will sign a two-year contract with the Super Lig (Turkey) club. Although the final details between Manchester City and Galatasaray still have to be agreed upon, the deal is very close.

Gundogan rejoined Manchester City last summer after a year at Barcelona.

He made 54 appearances for Pep Guardiola's team for the 2024/2025 season despite the former German National Team player struggling to have the same impact as when he enjoyed his first term at the Etihad Stadium by winning five Premier League and Champions League titles in seven years.

The 34-year-old has not played a single minute in Manchester City's first three games of the season and was not included in the squad during the 0-2 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Galatasaray has until September 12, 2025, to recruit players, given that the transfer market in Turkey is still past the September 1, 2025 deadline set by the Premier League and other top European leagues.

However, Galatasaray officials want to immediately complete Gundogan's arrival documents on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, local time, in order to register him with the Champions League this season.

The final squad must be handed over to UEFA no later than 12 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, local time.