Ilkay Gundogan ‘asks to LEAVE Barcelona’ just one season after departing Man City, with Jose Mourinho ‘prepared to do everything’ to bring the midfielder to Fenerbahce

Ilkay Gundogan is reportedly seeking an exit from Barcelona after just one season at the club.

Gundogan departed Manchester City after seven seasons and elected to join Barcelona in June last year.

However, he only signed a two-year deal and is now into the final year of his contract.

According to Spanish publication Sport, the German international has reportedly informed the club he wants to move on from the La Liga heavyweights. 

Gundogan was left out entirely from Barcelona’s matchday squad in their LaLiga opener as they beat Valencia 2-1. 

Gundogan moved to Barcelona on a free deal in June 2023 after leaving Manchester City

The German international only signed a two-year deal with the Spanish heavyweights

Gundogan spent seven seasons with Manchester City and won a whopping 14 trophies

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick though denied that the omission was due to any uncertainty around the midfielder’s future.

When asked about the former Man City star, Flick said: ‘I think he’s gonna end up staying at Barça.

‘He was out tonight as he had some discomfort. I spoke to Ilkay, but that stays between us as it’s private conversation.’

The report from Spanish publication Sport claims the midfielder told the coaching staff that he has had ‘enough’ and is hoping all parties can help him find an exit from the club.

As to where the 33-year-old may land next, the report claims he has several admirers in Turkey as well as in Saudi Arabia.

However, one man who appears intent on signing Gundogan is Fenerbache manager Jose Mourinho. 

The 61-year-old took up the post at Fenerbache in June and has already been active in the transfer market, with Caglar Soyuncu, Cenk Tosun and Youssef En-Nesyri all moving on permanent deals while he snapped up Allan Saint-Maximin on loan from Al-Ahli.

Gundogan met Turkish President Erdogan in 2018 and presented him with a signed shirt

The report says Mourinho is prepared to go to extreme lengths to land Gundogan, such is his desire to bring him to Fenerbache.

Adding to the chances of Gundogan moving to Turkey is the fact he was born to Turkish parents.

Gundogan previously met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2018, although the meeting attracted controversy after the midfielder called Erdogan ‘my president’ despite not being a Turkish citizen.