Reports suggest that Ilkay Gundogan is looking to leave Barcelona after just one season with the club.
Gundogan, who moved from Manchester City to Barcelona in June of the previous year, had signed a two-year contract and is now in the final year of it.
According to the Spanish newspaper *Sport*, the German midfielder has informed Barcelona of his desire to depart. He was not included in the squad for Barcelona’s opening La Liga match, which they won 2-1 against Valencia. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick explained that Gundogan’s absence was due to injury, not uncertainty about his future, and remarked, “I think he’ll stay at Barcelona. He wasn’t at home tonight because he was hurting. I talked to Ilkay, but that’s a private matter.”
*Sport* also reports that Gundogan has expressed his frustration with the club and is hoping for assistance in finding a new team.
Potential destinations for the 33-year-old include Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Fenerbahçe’s new manager, José Mourinho, is particularly eager to sign Gundogan. Since taking over in June, Mourinho has been active in the transfer market, bringing in Caglar Soyuncu, Cenk Tosun, and Youssef En-Nesyri, as well as securing Allan Saint-Maximin on loan from Al-Ahli. Mourinho is reportedly very determined to add Gundogan to his squad.
