La Liga champions Real Madrid reportedly turned down the offer to sign Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in a Bosman move next year.
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, intermediaries have offered several potential free agents to Real Madrid, including Ilkay Gundogan. But the reigning La Liga champions have snubbed the chance to sign the Manchester City midfielder.
Ilkay Gundogan has been a pivotal figure for Manchester City since arriving from Borussia Dortmund half a dozen years ago. The German international has been a trusted lieutenant for Pep Guardiola during this period. And he has become the club captain this season following Fernandinho’s departure in the summer.
The 32-year-old has turned out 273 times thus far for Manchester City, chipping in with 51 goals and 35 assists. But the Premier League champions are in a spot of bother over Gundogan’s long-term future as he is in the final year of his contract. Such a situation has alerted several clubs, with intermediaries offering him to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid will likely enter the market for a midfield reinforcement in the summer transfer window. Los Blancos’ midfield unit will see at least one vacancy, with Dani Ceballos likely to leave next year. In addition, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are in the twilight of their respective careers.
So Real Madrid will need to lay down a succession plan for the ageing midfield stalwarts. Several midfielders have thus emerged on the Spanish club’s radar. And Gundogan could have been a viable target for Real Madrid. But the reigning La Liga champions have rejected the offer to sign the Manchester City midfielder.
The decision seems sensible, considering Gundogan would have only been a short-term solution. And the Merengues have similarly snubbed the opportunity to sign N’Golo Kante. Real Madrid will instead pursue younger players, with Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez emerging on their radar.
While Bellingham is likelier to join Liverpool, the Spanish champions have recently contacted Enzo Fernandez. As for Gundogan, the 32-year-old might sign a new contract with Manchester City. And it will be interesting to see who Real Madrid will end up signing next year.
