Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has informed the club of his desire to leave before the end of the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The 33-year-old made an immediate impact at Camp Nou upon his arrival from Manchester City last summer, making 51 appearances in all tournaments and contributing five goals and 14 assists.
Gundogan's Barcelona baptism preceded a positive Euro 2024 campaign with Germany at an individual level, where he scored one goal and set up two more as the hosts reached the quarter-finals.
The midfielder only signed a two-year deal at Camp Nou upon his arrival last year, though, meaning that he is now in the last 12 months of his terms, although both parties can agree to an extension until 2026.
Despite shining under Xavi last season, Gundogan's age and contract situation means that his future has naturally been called into question, although it was reported earlier this month that he had communicated his wish to stay.
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Gundogan 'tells Barcelona he wants to leave'
Eyebrows were raised when Gundogan was left out of the Blaugrana squad for their opening La Liga win over Valencia on Saturday, although Hansi Flick insisted that the 33-year-old was injured, while also expressing his belief that a transfer would not go through.
"I think that Gundogan will stay with us. He was not 100% fit to play today. He had some discomfort. I spoke to him, but that stays between us, not with you," Flick told the press.
However, a report from Sport claims that Gundogan has now handed in a transfer request at Camp Nou, and both Flick and sporting director Deco are aware of his intentions to depart.
As Gundogan will turn 34 in October, Barcelona have apparently opened the door to his exit if a suitable offer is made, especially as they have still been unable to register new signing Dani Olmo.
Gundogan's camp have supposedly stressed that the midfielder is content at Camp Nou, but the 33-year-old privately harbours a desire to leave, and both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are keeping a close eye on developments.
What about Frenkie de Jong's future?
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As well as Gundogan, fellow Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was another absentee from the victory over Valencia on Saturday, as the Netherlands international is still recovering from a nasty ankle injury.
De Jong has long been tipped to head in the opposite direction to Gundogan and move from Barcelona to Manchester - albeit to Manchester United rather than Man City - and the rumour mill has continued to swirl this summer.
A late swoop from Erik ten Hag's side is now considered unlikely, but Barcelona are apparently worried that De Jong is trying to run down his contract, which expires in the summer of 2026.
Furthermore, the club have supposedly been left perplexed by the length of De Jong's absence, as they initially expected his ankle problem to heal in a maximum of eight weeks, but he has now been sidelined for four months.
A Robert Lewandowski brace propelled Barca to a 2-1 win over Valencia in their La Liga opener, and Flick's men are next in action at home to Athletic Bilbao on August 24.
Ben Knapton
