Key Takeaways:
- Ilkay Gündogan has reached a full agreement with Galatasaray and will travel to Istanbul today to finalise his transfer
- Manchester City have allowed the midfielder to depart on a free, resulting in over £11 million saved in salary for the final year of his contract
- Galatasaray’s transfer spend this summer has neared €150 million, with Gündogan joining a list of high-profile arrivals including Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Singo, Ugurcan Çakir, and Leroy Sané
Details of the Gündogan Transfer
Ilkay Gündogan, the Manchester City midfielder, has secured a move to Galatasaray following a full agreement between the player and the Turkish club. Manchester City have sanctioned the transfer at no cost, allowing Gündogan to join the Istanbul giants without a transfer fee. As a result, City will benefit from a saving in excess of £11 million, the sum that would have been allocated to his salary during the last year of his contract.
Gündogan is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul today, where he will undergo a medical assessment before officially signing with Galatasaray. The timing of this move has been made possible due to the Turkish transfer window remaining open until mid-September.
🚨🟡🔴 Ilkay Gündogan to Galatasaray, here we go! Deal until June 2027 set to be signed later today.
Man City will let Gündogan leave for free as the agreement includes salary saved.
Gündo, in Istanbul today. ✈️🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/7Wk259Yqqy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2025
Galatasaray’s Ambitious Summer Recruitment
Gündogan’s arrival marks another significant addition for Galatasaray in a highly active summer window. The club have already brought in several notable names, including Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Singo, Ugurcan Çakır, and Leroy Sané, as well as multiple other fresh faces. Galatasaray’s total expenditure on incoming transfers has risen to nearly €150 million as a result of these acquisitions.
Implications for Manchester City and Galatasaray
By letting Gündogan leave on a free transfer, Manchester City immediately yield substantial financial savings for the upcoming season, potentially opening up resources for further squad adjustments. Meanwhile, Galatasaray continue to demonstrate their ambitions both domestically and on the European stage, integrating experienced international talents into their squad through strategic acquisitions.
