Ilkay Gundogan’s contract saga has continued into the January transfer window. With six months to go on his current Manchester City contract, the club captain has been reluctant to sign an extension particularly after his game time seemingly dropped last year.
In November, the German indicated that he was relaxed about his contract with the 2023 summer being very far away for him. He however linked his future to that of Pep Guardiola whose contract was to expire in 2023 but has gone ahead to extend his time at the club. Gündogan was the former Bayern Munich manager’s first signing in 2015.
His seemingly relaxed stance toward contract negotiations have seen Barcelona and Bayern Munich touted as possible destinations should he choose to move on from the Etihad this summer. The 32-year-old has said he is happy at the club leading many to believe that he will stay at the Etihad.
Gündogan has been a mainstay for Manchester City over the last few years The German midfielder instantly became an indispensable cog in the Man City midfield winning almost every trophy up for grabs since he joined. Last season, he enjoyed a good season in front of goal, scoring 8 goals and grabbing 4 assists.
Manchester City’s rumoured link to Dortmund midfielder, Jude Bellingham may have an influence on whether Gündogan will renew his contract. The English midfielder has been on the radar of a number of top sides in the world including City. However, it remains to be seen whether Man City would go ahead to make the move.
With six months to go and with the possibility of a pre-contract agreement, Gündogan has the advantage in negotiations and it will be very interesting to see how it goes between now and then end of the transfer window. If Ilkay Gündogan chooses to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract, he will be regarded as a legend in the same bracket as David Silva and Fernandinho.
