Sports · Football · 8 hrs ago
Gündogan has played only 11 minutes for Galatasaray this season
Ilkay Gündogan, 35, has played only 11 minutes across two brief appearances in Galatasaray’s first eight competitive matches this season.
The midfielder joined the Istanbul club last summer after a season with Barcelona, hoping to keep playing at a high level in the Champions League.
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk says Gündogan remains a valuable player, but the team has usually relied on Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Sara in midfield.
Gündogan has denied wanting to leave and says he wants to stay beyond the winter break and help Galatasaray win another league title.
However, Turkish media reports say the club would consider an early separation, potentially in the winter, when it could avoid paying his reported €4.5 million salary.
His contract runs until 2027.
A possible return to his former club, 1.
FC Nürnberg, has also been discussed, but no move is confirmed.
Ilkay Gündogan has played only 11 minutes across eight competitive matches for Galatasaray this season.
The 35-year-old said he wants to stay at the Istanbul club beyond the winter break and help it win another title.
Reports cited by sportschau.de say Galatasaray would not oppose an early separation, potentially in the winter.
Coach Okan Buruk said Gündogan remains a valuable player and described his frustration at not getting on the pitch as normal.
- Who
- Ilkay Gündogan, Galatasaray midfielder and former Germany captain.
- What
- He has played 11 minutes in eight competitive matches this season, amid reports he could leave in the winter.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026; it says Gündogan joined Galatasaray the previous summer.
- Where
- Galatasaray, in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Why
- He has had limited playing time, while reports say the club may accept an early separation. Gündogan said he wants to stay and pursue another league title.
Ilkay Gündogan
Galatasaray
Future at the club
Ilkay Gündogan
Gündogan said he wants to stay beyond the winter break and give his all to win another title.
Galatasaray
A report in Sabah said Galatasaray would not oppose an early separation, preferably in the winter.
Gündogan joined Galatasaray after playing for Barcelona from 2023 to 2024.
Gündogan made two brief appearances in Galatasaray's first eight competitive matches.
Gündogan came on in the 85th minute in Galatasaray's 1-3 defeat at Sporting.
After Galatasaray beat Kasimpasa 3-1, Gündogan said he was not ready for the Barcelona match because he was not playing.
sportschau.de reported that Gündogan had played 11 minutes this season and that a winter departure was being discussed.
- Season appearances
- 8 competitive matches
- Playing time
- 11 minutes
- Age
- 35
- Contract runs until
- 2027
- Reported annual saving from a winter departure
- 4.5 million euros
What people are saying
I want to stay here beyond the winter and give everything to win another championship with Galatasaray.
I don't play, why should I be ready?
a valuable player for us
Sources
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