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Pep Guardiola, the City gaffer, has confirmed that Manchester City has activated a contract extension for Ilkay Gundogan, with the news emerging just days after Kevin De Bruyne announced his departure from the club.
One of the Premier League's greats, De Bruyne, made an emotional post on social media on the 4th of April, announcing his plans to depart from City after a glorious decade which included winning various trophies. The Belgian midfielder now has new options in mind, with the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS) as possible destinations.
π½πππΌππππ: Ilkay Gundogan’s one-year contract extension at #ManCity has been triggered. π¨βΌοΈ
— City Report (@cityreport_) April 13, 2025
Pep Guardiola: “What’s going to happen I don’t know, but he has one more year contract now.” βοΈ
π₯ https://t.co/JOOzqBIQYi pic.twitter.com/YivWd0YITS
Although De Bruyne's contract will expire this summer, he is not the only one who will experience a change. City intends to rejuvenate their squad after hiring several young talents in the January window. Nevertheless, in a contrasting action, Gundogan has won an extension at the club.
Gundogan will stay at Manchester City until 2026
Gundogan, who had played a central part in City's treble triumph in the 2022-23 season, had come back to Manchester following a season at FC Barcelona, signing for the Catalan club on a free transfer. He was not initially thought to feature as a main starter in his second spell at City.
However, following injuries to senior players, Gundogan has filled a bigger-than-anticipated role, playing 43 games across all competitions and recording more than 2700 minutes on the field.
Ilkay Gundogan: “He’s irreplaceable, what Kevin has done for the club is unbelievable. I think in the history of #ManCity, for me personally, there’s no better player than Kevin De Bruyne!
— City Report (@cityreport_) April 12, 2025
It was a pleasure for me to share the pitch with him for such a long time and seeing him… pic.twitter.com/YN8kl4Wth0
Gundogan, who has just turned 34, has now played more minutes than almost all of his teammates, except Josko Gvardiol. His regular performance and crucial contribution have earned him an automatic contract extension for one more season.
Guardiola affirmed Gundogan's contract status at a recent press conference, saying:
He has one more year contract, definitely. What’s going to happen in the summer, I don't know, but he has one more year contract now. The Gundo from Leicester, the Gundo from Bournemouth, the Gundo from today against Crystal Palace is the Gundo I remember, when we won the Treble and Quadruple and he was an important player. His activity, pace, and defensive intelligence have been massive for us. When the team plays well, the individuals rise. In modern football, you simply can’t do it any other way.
Even with this good news, Gundogan may still leave City again, with Galatasaray evidently showing great interest. If that happens, interested parties will need to present a transfer fee.
Despite being considered a City legend, Gundogan has struggled with his fitness and pace at times, citing a big difference on his return to the Premier League.
Guardiola himself admitted Gundogan's shortcomings by saying he doesn't "have the legs to run 40m", but now the German midfielder appears to be staying at the Etihad until 2026.