Report: Man City dealt blow as ‘incredible’ player edges towards Etihad summer exit

Manchester City have been dealt a massive blow, with a new report indicating that Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the club in the summer.

Gündoğan’s contract is set to expire next summer, meaning he will leave the club for free in the summer if no agreement can be reached to extend his stay in Manchester.

The 32-year-old was Pep Guardiola’s original signing back in 2016, going on to score many important goals for the Cityzens and, most recently, taking the captain’s armband at the club.

According to Football Insider sources, the Sky Blues have been in touch with the German’s representatives to discuss an extension, but so far nothing has come to fruition, with the ball firmly in the player’s court.

Manchester Evening News, relaying information from Spanish sources, have now indicated that if there is ‘no radical turn of events’, the 32-year-old will move on to pastures new at the end of the season.

At this point, the maestro is deemed to be in the ‘preferential position’ in the negotiations, so it will now become a waiting game to see whether he wants to commit to extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Gundogan has had an excellent start to his campaign this season as he has put in some influential displays at the centre of the park. He has managed to score two goals and create two assists for Pep Guardiola’s side so far across all fronts prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup ongoing in Qatar.

The veteran midfielder, who has made 273 appearances for Manchester City, chipping in with 51 goals and 35 assists, was solid at the 2022 FIFA World Cup before his nation’s untimely ouster.

Will Guardiola Extend His Contract Or Let Him Loose?

Ilkay Gundogan possesses a high work rate and has the composure to keep the ball even under pressure. The German international is relentless in the central areas as he can time his tackles well and make some crucial interceptions to win the ball back for his side. Furthermore, he excels at distributing the ball to his teammates and can set up his teammates with a few decisive passes in front of the goal.

Even at the age of 31, he has shown no signs of stopping through his ranks after playing in various European competitions throughout his career. His addition could certainly add more depth and bring more creativity to a squad. However, if Pep Guardiola and the Man City chiefs decide to go for Jude Bellingham then Gundogan could be the one to be axed in order to make room for the youngster as he would certainly demand first-team football.

With less than a year left in his contract, Pep Guardiola could sell him for a decent transfer fee in January and bring more funds to the Etihad if they make an attempt to sign Bellingham next summer. Although if they fail to acquire the Dortmund ace then that would put the Sky Blues in a tough situation to find decent replacements who can provide the quality that Gundogan offers on the field.