- Ilkay Gundogan has become the summer target for Turkish side Galatasaray.
- However, the German would have decided to stay in Barcelona this summer.
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Ilkay Gundogan will reportedly stay in Barcelona in the summer despite strong interest from abroad.
The German international’s first season in Spain ended in disappointment as the Catalans failed to win any trophies during the 2023-24 campaign.
It is an unfamiliar feeling for Gundogan, who, over many years, won numerous titles with Manchester City before finally ending his stay there last summer.
Now, despite growing interest from abroad, Gundogan looks set to remain in LaLiga as he prepares for a reunion with former national team boss Hansi Flick.
According Sports worldThe 33-year-old, whose current contract at Camp Nou will expire in the summer of 2025, plans to stay at Barcelona.
Ilkay Gundogan would choose to stay at Barcelona despite interest from abroad
The German star’s debut season with the Spanish giants ended with a disappointing campaign
The news comes just days after Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek admitted it would be his “dream” to sign the former City midfielder.
“I think we have to sign about three players to compete in the Champions League. Maybe it’s time to try to complete the signing of my dreams: Ilkay Gündogan,” he said.
Despite interest from the Turkish champions, Gundogan plans to stay as he prepares for Flick’s arrival at Camp Nou.
Gundogan and Flick worked together during the latter’s time as coach of the German national team, which ended in September.
Speaking at the time, Gundogan said: “I feel like I’ve let Flick down. The mood in the team currently is a mix of sadness, frustration and disappointment.
“As a player, I feel like I let Hansi (Flick) down, to be completely honest. He was always focused, motivated and full of energy. Unfortunately, as a team we couldn’t turn that into something.”
Barcelona announced the appointment of Hansi Flick (right) as the new first team coach
Gundogan is likely to be looking forward to working with his former national team boss.
On Wednesday, Barcelona announced the appointment of Flick as the new coach following the departure of Xavi.
The former Germany and Bayern Munich manager has signed a two-year contract with the club after a tumultuous few weeks at the Camp Nou.
Xavi had originally announced in January that he would step down from his role in the summer, before Barcelona president Joan Laporta convinced the club legend to stay in April.
However, the former Spanish midfielder publicly criticized Barcelona’s financial situation, infuriating Laporta, who decided to fire Xavi last Friday.
