Ilkay Gundogan Transfer Rumours: Latest News on the Borussia Dortmund Star
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is one of the most respected young players in world football, although the Germany international's 2013-14 season has so far been derailed somewhat by a back problem that has forced him to the sidelines.
It is that injury that means it is unlikely Gundogan will move on in the January transfer window, although it is not impossible that rumoured suitors Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea will not be put off by his current ailments.
Click on for all the latest rumours about the 23-year-old.
—LAST UPDATED: 3rd December 2013—
Dortmund Admit £25m Summer Sale Could Possibly Happen
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Dortmund could be forced to sell Gundogan if their valuation of the player is met in January, according to the latest comments from club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
With Gundogan out of contract in 2015, Watzke seemed to acknowledge to the Daily Star on Friday that Gundogan could be sold in the transfer window—if a contract extension looks unlikely and another club matches his valuation.
The Star believes Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in such a deal, with around £25m needed to persuade Dortmund into a reluctant sale.
Watzke said:
"It is our absolute desire that besides Robert Lewandowski no other regular player leaves the club.
Only in the case of Ilkay Gundogan, we do not yet know how it will turn out. We would love to extend (a contract) with him.
"
Gundogan Named as One of Three United Transfer Targets
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A new week means new rumours around Gundogan, although not too many.
On Tuesday, the Daily Telegraph named the Dortmund midfielder as one of three targets Manchester United are focusing on in January, alongside Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera and Everton's Leighton Baines.
Mark Ogden writes, in a piece discussing Wayne Rooney's future:
"But with manager David Moyes expected to add to his squad next month, with Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera and Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan all likely targets, efforts to renegotiate and extend Rooney’s contract could be put on hold until the end of the transfer window.
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It remains to be seen whether Dortmund are open to negotiations, however.
Real Madrid Deal Denied
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Dortmund sporting director Hans-Joachim Watzke has denied speculation that Gundogan has already agreed to sign for Real Madrid when his contract expires in 2015.
Although no formal agreement can be reached until six months before the contract is due to expire, some reports had claimed that Gundogan's agent had agreed a secret deal with the Liga side.
However, Watzke has scoffed at such speculation—citing the special relationship between the two clubs, while also seemingly taking a dig at Bayern Munich.
"This makes no sense," Watzke told Bild. "With no other club do we have as good a relationship as the one with Real Madrid.
"There are still teams that inform us and do not want to negotiate behind our backs."
Dortmund Hierarchy Confident of New Gundogan Contract
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Dortmund are confident that they will agree a new contract with Gundogan in the near future, saying that the midfielder's recent injury has temporarily halted discussions.
Gundogan's contract expires in the summer of 2015.
General manager Michael Zorc told kicker-Sportmagazin, via Sky Sports:
"Of course, we are very interested in signing a new contract with Ilkay Gundogan.
"
Due to the injury that Ilkay Gundogan is out with at the moment, talks regarding a new deal have stalled, but we are keen to soon resume negotiations on a new contract.
Midfielder Hoping to Return from Injury at Start of 2014
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Gundogan has been kept out for Dortmund in recent weeks due to a back injury, opting to rest the problem rather than undergo surgery.
The treatment appears to be having an affect, with Gundogan aiming to be ready to go for his club after the Bundesliga's winter break.
Gundogan will be somewhat cautious, however, as he wants to ensure there are no further complications with a World Cup on the horizon.
According to Bild, via Goal.com, Gundogan said:
"Slowly but surely it is getting better. I've even been doing sprinting and working on my conditioning—there are only a few more percentage points for me to reach.
Of course I hope that I can return as quickly as possible, but I am not completely pain free yet and so I must continue my treatment.It's quite possible that I can be fully fit after the winter break. Of course I want to return as quickly as possible and play again for Dortmund, but Brazil of course is top priority.
"
Gundogan Calm on Contract Situation
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Complicating Gundogan's future is his contract situation.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2015.
That has led some to fear that he could follow in the footsteps of current team-mate Robert Lewandowski, who is almost universally expected to move to Bayern Munich on a free transfer when his Dortmund deal ends next summer.
Gundogan's status has only heightened the interest in him from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and the top Premier League sides—but he does not appear to be unduly concerned.
"Dortmund is my first point of contact," he told Kicker last week, according to Sport Witness. He also indicated that he intends to try to reach terms with his current club over a new deal before entertaining any interest from elsewhere.
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