Goodbye Gundogan
Pep’s first City signing is told he can leave after six years
ILKAY GUNDOGAN is set to leave Manchester City amicably this summer. Sportsmail understands Pep Guardiola’s first City recruit has been told he is free to find another club, with one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan has started 20 Premier League matches out of 37 so far this season in a squad packed with midfield options.
However, he is known to be at a stage in his career where he wants to be in the starting XI every week and those assurances cannot currently be given at City.
While his club insist that any talks would happen in the summer, it is understood that he has been told an extension to his existing deal is unlikely.
And, given Gundogan’s outstanding service, he has been given the opportunity to explore options elsewhere.
The Germany international — who cost £21million in summer 2016 — was spotted yesterday morning in the private-jet terminal at Manchester Airport.
Spanish giants Real Madrid previously attempted to sign the 31-year-old when he was with Borussia Dortmund, but the purpose of Gundogan’s trip was unclear.
City’s players have been given two days off ahead of what is expected to be a title decider against Aston Villa on Sunday. Gundogan, who lives next door to his manager in a city-centre apartment and spends time with him outside the work environment, has been in Manchester for six years.
He is a key statesman in Guardiola’s squad and is one of five vice-captains, wearing the armband whenever Fernandinho isn’t playing.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, he spoke of his heartbreak at the club’s dramatic Champions League semi-final defeat by Real earlier this month.
Should City win the title and he choose to depart, Gundogan would go as the most successful German in Premier League history, with four title wins. He is already his country’s leading scorer in the English top flight.
It would leave Guardiola needing to replace two midfielders this summer, with Fernandinho also leaving.