With his contract at Manchester City set to expire in the summer, here are 5 potential destinations for Ilkay Gundogan
FC Barcelona
The team that has already spent plenty of time linked with the German midfielder is Barcelona. The Catalan club is on track to win another La Liga title this year, the first under head coach Xavi, and will only want to bolster their squad in the summer.
Gundogan would align with Barcelona’s recent transfer strategy, being on the older side of the game but coming to the club without a transfer fee. Barcelona has been and continues to struggle with financial issues, so being able to bring in players like Frank Kessie, Andres Christensen, and maybe Gundogan for free is crucial to their success at the moment.
Sergio Busquets looks to be closer to retirement each season, and rumors continue to swirl over Gavi’s head regarding his future. Despite his age, a player with Gundogan’s quality and experience would be welcome in this Barca side, and coming from a Pep Guardiola system to a Xavi system should feel like a seamless transition for a player of his quality.
Borussia Dortmund
The possibility also remains for a return to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. Gundogan spent 5 seasons in black and yellow, winning a league title and cup, as well as helping his side to the 2013 Champions League Final in which he scored but they lost.
Dortmund’s current star midfielder Jude Bellingham looks to be on to bigger and better things this summer, leaving a hole perfect for Gundogan to fill. Gundogan enjoyed success in his first stint while becoming one of the world’s leading midfielders, and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for him to come home for one last dance.
Juventus
Another option for the German could be a move to Italian soccer through Juventus. After winning nine consecutive Serie A titles and appearing in 2 Champions League finals, Juventus find themselves in the Europa League and their second year in a row without a league title.
The Turin club thought that the re-signing of Paul Pogba last summer would be an answer to their problems, but he has barely featured due to injury, and rumors link him with an exit from Juventus every week. Whether or not he stays, he is not a starter for the team and they could look to strengthen through the middle.
Fabio Miretti and Nicolo Fagioli have impressed this campaign, but not quite at the standard of a European powerhouse, and Gundogan would surely be an improvement even if only for a couple of years.
Bayern Munich
Perhaps a less likely or popular option than Dortmund, he could join the ‘record-champions’ Bayern Munich. Perhaps the only team on this list where he wouldn’t be a starter each week, Bayern still provides an interesting challenge and opportunity for Gundogan.
With Ryan Gravenberch likely to leave on loan this summer, and Marcel Sabitzer already seemingly out of the team for good, Gundogan would be a brilliant signing for Thomas Tuchel’s new side.
Gundogan would provide a world-class rotation for the already world-class midfielders on Bayern’s books. Real Madrid has proven that you can’t have too many incredible midfielders in your squad, and Bayern may follow their lead in stacking up through the middle of the field.
Exit Europe
Beyond joining one of Europe’s other elite teams, Gundogan could also follow in the footsteps of countless great players and see out the rest of his career abroad.
He could do what fellow countrymen Bastian Schweinsteiger did and go to the MLS, with good fits including LAFC, DC United, or St. Louis.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League it has become a much more enticing option and Gundogan could travel to the middle east.
Another midfield great Andres Iniesta chose to go to Japan and Gundogan could theoretically follow.
Outside of Europe, Gundogan has enough quality and experience that he could almost go to any club in any country he sees fit.
While Barcelona remains the team in the best position to get his signature, any one of these teams, and a number of others will surely be in the fight and only time will tell where Ilkay Gundogan will play next.
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