Ilkay Gundogan was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City as the midfielder arrived at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
Prior to suffering a long-term injury setback, the Germany international was a vital figure in the Bundesliga outfit’s midfield. He was part of the Dortmund side that lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Wembley in 2013.
Gundogan has revealed there was interest from several “top teams” for his signature the same summer. He mentioned this when he was quizzed if Real Madrid had made an approach to sign him.
“After the 2013 Champions League final, the year we lost to Bayern and eliminated Madrid in the semi-final, I had many offers to leave Borussia Dortmund. All the top teams [were interested]. But I prefer not to mention any club in particular,” Gundogan told Marca.
The 27-year-old won the Carabao Cup and the Premier League with Manchester City in the 2017/18 season. He is satisfied with his individual performance and the collective efforts of the English side during the course of the last campaign.
However, Gundogan claims he is not at the best moment of his career and believes there are “much better things” to come from him in the future.
“I hope not [best moment of his career]. I want to keep improving. It is true that I am very satisfied with the season, both collectively and individually. I have done things very well and now I hope to maintain this dynamic in the World Cup,” he said.
“I have worked very hard and very seriously throughout the season and I hope that it shows now. But as I said before, I hope that there is still much better things to come from me. You have to keep growing and not settle.”
Good things for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to hear. Gundogan wants to grow, and has no interest in hinting at a possible Real Madrid move.
