Turkish giants Galatasaray have reportedly emerged as contenders to sign Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
The Germany international is yet to agree to a new contract with the Premier League champions, and his existing deal is due to run until the end of the season.
As a result, City could watch Gundogan walk out of the door for nothing in 2023, and he will be free to talk to foreign clubs from January if his situation does not change.
Barcelona and Juventus are both believed to be keeping an eye on the 31-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window, but they could be facing competition from an unexpected suitor.
According to The Sun, Galatasaray are also lining up a move for Gundogan should he call time on his Etihad career at the end of the current campaign.
© Reuters
Gundogan - who is of Turkish descent - has already opened the door to a move to the Super Lig or MLS, telling Sport1: "Because of my roots, Turkey is naturally interesting. I also like the USA, I've been there on vacation several times."
However, the report adds that Gundogan would not be opposed to signing a new deal with Pep Guardiola's side, and he also affirmed to Sport1 that he would be willing to retire in Manchester.
"I'm not worried about that at the moment. I still have a contract in Manchester until 2023, I'm very happy there, both in sporting and private terms, and I can theoretically imagine ending my career at City," Gundogan added.
Gundogan has remained a regular for Manchester City this season, featuring in 14 matches in all competitions and registering two goals and an assist in the Premier League.
The former Borussia Dortmund man has started three Champions League games and seven Premier League matches as captain this term, despite the rife competition for spots in Guardiola's midfield.
© Reuters
It has now been six years since Gundogan left Dortmund to become Guardiola's first signing at Man City, and the midfielder has since registered 51 goals and 34 assists in 267 games for the Citizens.
Speaking to Kicker in April, Gundogan echoed previous sentiments that he would be prepared to stay put in England, saying: "We will sit down together in due course and exchange our ideas and plans, and then we will see what comes out of it.
"Football-wise, there is certainly still no better address than Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, and I think that will hardly change in the next few years.
"Of course, I would have liked to play a little longer in one or two important games over the last few months. That's not a secret. I am a player who always wants to play."
Gundogan has collected 11 pieces of silverware during his six years at the Etihad, winning four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, one FA Cup and two Community Shields.
Ben Knapton
