Ilkay Gundogan is reportedly set to remain at Manchester City beyond the summer of 2025 despite only penning a one-year deal earlier this month.
The 33-year-old made a sensational return to the Etihad Stadium just under a fortnight ago, joining on a free transfer from Barcelona after only one season at Camp Nou.
Gundogan made 51 appearances for Barca during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring five goals and providing 14 assists, but the La Liga club's financial predicament ultimately led to the German's swift departure from Catalonia.
Despite reported interest from clubs in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Gundogan was keen to reunite with Pep Guardiola at Man City, where he had previously earned legendary status during his first spell lasting seven years.
Guardiola was on the lookout for a new midfielder over the summer, and despite holding an interest in players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Eberechi Eze, the Citizens opted for a cheaper alternative in Gundogan.
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Gundogan to remain at Man City for 2025-26 season?
Man City's signing of Gundogan could arguably be viewed as a short-term fix, as the Premier League champions draw up a list of long-term midfield targets for future transfer windows.
However, Gundogan could yet remain at the club for more than just once season, as the Daily Star reports that the German has the option to extend his one-year contract by an additional 12 months should he feature in more than 50% of Man City's matchday squads this season.
Gundogan has settled in quickly back at Man City and has already made two substitute outings for the Citizens, coming on in the second half of Premier League victories against Ipswich Town and West Ham United.
City's new No.19 is expected to feature regularly under Guardiola this term and it is therefore difficult to envisage the midfielder's contract not being extended next summer, unless he were to sustain a long-term injury.
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Gundogan eyeing up coaching role after playing career?
Gundogan recently retired from international football following Germany's quarter-final exit at Euro 2024 and the midfielder will remain at Man City until the age of 35 should he stay for the next two seasons.
It is understood that Gundogan has aspirations of stepping into coaching as soon as he decided to hang up his boots and a place on Man City's backroom staff is said to be the next logical step.
That could depend on the future of Guardiola, though, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has been tipped to potentially leave at the end of the current campaign.
During his first spell at Man City, Gundogan won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, two Community Shields and one Champions League, scoring 60 goals and registering 38 assists in 304 appearances.
Oliver Thomas
