Gundogan is leaving for Galatasaray: He chose his homeland, not Saudi Arabia

Manchester City are set to start the next season with a new squad. The process of saying goodbye to several aging players who have become the heart of the team in recent years has begun. After such big figures as Kyle Walker and Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan is next in line.

According to information disseminated by one of Turkey's leading sports journalists, Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the 34-year-old experienced midfielder is one step away from moving to Galatasaray. According to sources, the management of the Istanbul club and the player himself have expressed great interest in cooperation.

At the same time, it is known that Gundogan has also received very financially advantageous offers from major clubs in Saudi Arabia. However, the player prefers Turkey from a professional and personal point of view. This decision shows respect for his national roots.

Gundogan has been playing for Manchester City since 2016. He has achieved many successes in the team, in particular, the Premier League championship, the League Cup and victories in European competitions are fully attributed to his contribution. After a one-season trip to Barcelona, he returned to Guardiola's team and played one last big game for the "city".

Currently, Gundogan has a current contract with City, which runs until 2026. His transfer fee is estimated at 5 million euros. This amount will not cause any difficulties for Galatasaray, especially since adding a player of this level to the squad is a huge achievement.

Ilkay Gundogan's transfer to Galatasaray will undoubtedly be an interesting event not only for Turkish football fans, but also for those who appreciate the unique European style. There is a high desire to see him as a team leader, because he is distinguished not only by his skills on the ball, but also by his leadership skills.