Izuchukwu Okosi
Reports from reliable English media on Wednesday reveals that Manchester City and Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the Premier League winners this summer for a stint in the La Liga.
The Turkish-born Germany international was in action on Tuesday night in his country’s international friendly against Colombia but is set to make the trip to Spain after that commitment to finalise the deal with the Spanish champions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe duration of the contract is expected to be two years until 2025 with an option of a third year which runs into the summer of 2026.
There were interests in the elegant midfielder from the Saudi Arabian League, his former club, Borrusia Dortmund as well as from Arsenal but he elected to work under former Barcelona and Spain midfield magician and current coach Xavi Hernandez.
Gundogan rejected the one-year deal offered to him to remain at the Etihad as he felt he has more in his tank to offer in the game.
City are reportedly in the market to find reinforcements to replace the player whose brace won City the FA Cup final against Manchester United at the Wembley stadium on June 3.
Gundogan also played a huge role in the club beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final of the UEFA Champions League as the club completed a treble to mirror the achievement of Manchester United on 1999 under maamger Sir Alex Ferguson.
Gundogan’s rise to prominence came while he played for Borrusia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga where he was part of the team that upset regular winners Bayern Munich in the 2013/2014 season.
Gundogan’s agent and uncle, Ilhan earlier in April this year insisted that no deal has been agreed, with the end of season run-in the focus for the midfielder.
“I’m surprised at where the stories come from about a deal being closed for many weeks”, he was quoted as saying in the sporting media.
“There’s no agreement with any club. It’s not yet decided where he will play for the next few years.
“Ilkay can still win three major trophies this season as City captain. That’s the only thing he’s focused on right now,” Ilhan enthused.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
