While Ilkay Gundogan remains in the process of still sorting out his future club amidst interest from Barcelona, it is becoming more and more apparent who the favorites are to successfully have his services at their disposal for the upcoming 2023/2024 season.
Both Manchester City from the English Premier League and FC Barcelona from the Spanish La Liga are competing for the signature of the German midfielder. Already having had a successful tenure at the English club, they are hoping to renew the 32-year-old once more so that he stays.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are luring him with a change of scenery at a club much more storied and fabled in terms of success and history, and have even recently sent an improved offer to the recent treble winner, given that his current contract with City expires at the end of June.
Moreover, there are understandably other sides involved in the transfer saga of Ilkay Gundogan. One such side was none other than German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, a club that Ilkay Gundogan himself has a deep-rooted past with.
Having played for the Yellow and Blacks of Dortmund from 2011 all the way till 2016 before joining Manchester City, the German side was also among those interested in the developments of his transfer options.
However, as per the most recent update regarding this topic by SPORT, it is now believed that Borussia Dortmund have retrieved from the pursuit of Gundogan due to several factors.
Sebastian Kehl, Sports Director of Borussia Dortmund, is believed to be the main source behind this optimistic interest to present the option of a homecoming to Ilkay Gundogan of sorts. Yet, the German club has begun to realize they cannot compete with other clubs across Europe currently interested in the midfielder on neither a sporting nor financial level.
They are currently unable to present an enticing enough financial offer that could possibly dismay the player from those offered by Manchester City and FC Barcelona.
Moreover, they also cannot guarantee the City midfielder competitive objectives in Europe at the moment, as they believe the projects of Barcelona and Manchester City are better developed and equipped for that.
