When Ilkay Gundogan was at Borussia Dortmund, it’s fair to say he worked his contract situation well.
Struggling with repeated injuries, Gundogan got close to the point of a transfer a couple of times before renewing with BVB. Those renewals were only for an extra year on his then deal, which meant he still had power and could get a move relatively easy.
He did that, and signed for Manchester City in 2016. So far this season he’s started 13 Premier League matches and made a further eight league appearances as a substitute.
Gundogan scored a goal in the 6-0 battering of Chelsea, and that takes his total for the season to five.
The 28 year old has a contract expiring in June 2020, and SportBild have asked him about a renewal. The German magazine put the end date to the midfielder, straight out asked if he’s staying at Manchester City.
Gundogan was evasive but made clear he could follow his Dortmund model: “It has now become the rule that there is a decision for a player who has another year contract period: separation or extension. I’m a bit old-fashioned. For me it is also possible that I go to the last contract year and then extend.”
That wasn’t good enough for SportBild, who pressed further and got more from the footballer: “It may well be that the next one will be my last big contract. Such a decision must be well considered. We already had one or two talks. I do not feel pressure is on the subject. Sportingly, I am very satisfied with City, as there are less attractive tasks in Europe. In this regard, nothing stands against an extension. But nothing is decided yet.”
Reading between the lines, it’s clear the financials have to be good for Gundogan and he’s willing to wait.
