Expert: Man City star who's 'not the same player anymore' close to joining new club
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Credit: Imago
Callum O'Connell
Tue 2 September 2025 11:30, UK
Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a move away from Man City after Galatasaray reached an agreement over a permanent deal for the midfielder.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola has given the green light for the 34-year-old to move on.
This comes after reports on 1 September claimed that Galatasaray are in advanced talks to sign Gundogan, with the deal now expected to be finalised.
Brown told Football Insider on 28 August that Gundogan was likely to leave Man City in the transfer window’s closing stages as he had been labelled “one to watch”.
The transfer window in England closed at 7pm on 1 September, but Turkish clubs including Galatasaray have until 12 September to complete their business.
As a result, work has continued to agree the deal for the German midfielder behind the scenes, and he is now expected to make the switch in the coming hours.
(Credit Imago)
Brown first told Football Insider in June that Galatasaray want to sign Gundogan and had expressed their interest in a move, with City open to letting him go.
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The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Guardiola will not stand in the way of the move as he continues to overhaul his squad.
“Gundogan looks like he will join Galatasaray,” he told Football Insider.
“The transfer window is closed in England, but the Turkish window is on a different schedule, so they’ve been working to get this deal over the line.
“I think Man City have been willing to let him go since the start of the summer.
“Pep Guardiola isn’t going to stand in his way, he’s not part of his plans.
Credit: Imago
“He’s been keen to move players on during the summer window, and that’s included some experienced heads, so I have no doubts Gundogan is seen any differently to those.
“He left once before, of course, and it was a bit of a surprise that they decided to bring him back.
“I don’t think he’s had the impact they maybe hoped he would, he’s not the same player he was before he left, so now it’s time to move on again.
“It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that they’re going to sell him now, because I think it’s been on the cards for the whole window.”
It was a busy end to the transfer window for City, who eventually completed the signing of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while Ederson joined Fenerbahce.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 22 August that James Trafford will seek assurances from Man City about his playing time as a result of the deal.
Credit: Imago
Trafford’s arrival at the Etihad earlier in the summer has complicated the situation as he had been regarded as the long-term first-choice under Guardiola.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Donnarumma and Trafford could share the number-one role after they land an agreement with PSG.
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