Ilkay Gundogan could snub role as Man City coach to extend playing career after lucrative offer from European giants
GALATASARAY are offering Ilkay Gundogan a chance to extend his career for another two years.
But, if the German star stays at Manchester City, it will signal the end of his time as a player.
The Turkish giants are ready to match Gundogan’s £150,000-a-week wages for the next two seasons and have opened talks with his camp.
Gundogan, 34, is aware he has no chance of getting that at City and it will take a huge turnaround in form to trigger even a one-year extension.
But the midfielder knows he has a place on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff if he wants.
It is a tricky choice for Gundogan, having grown up as a Galatasaray fan.
He was born in the German city of Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents after his grandfather moved there to work down the mines.
Gundogan played 304 games for City, winning the five Premier Leagues and the Champions League, before joining on a free transfer Barcelona in 2023.
But after just a season with the Catalan giants, he rejoined the club on a one-year deal.
However, Gundogan has not hit the heights he previously managed since his return to the Etihad.
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He has found the back of the net just twice in all competitions and struggled as City endured a horror that saw them win just one game in 12.
Gundogan is set to not be the only legend leaving the champions in the coming months, with Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne tipped for moves away.
Guardiola revealed Walker was left out the squad for their 8-0 win over Salford in the FA Cup yesterday due to the right-back “exploring the option to play abroad”.
Meanwhile, De Bruyne has been linked to new MLS newcomers San Diego.
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