Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City have triggered a contract extension – just days after it was announced talisman Kevin De Bruyne would be leaving the club.
On Friday 4 April, Premier League great De Bruyne took to social media to confirm he will be leaving City after 10 trophy-laden years and will embark on a new challenge.
The Saudi Pro League and MLS have been earmarked as potential destinations for the Belgian, who rolled back the years with a sensational performance in the 5-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Out of contract in the summer, De Bruyne is among a number of City stars who are coming towards the end of their cycle at the Etihad Stadium.
Having already brought in a quartet of younger players in the January window, City are expected to continue refreshing their squad in the summer.
But Guardiola has confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan has extended his deal with the Premier League champions.
City’s captain for their iconic treble win, Gundogan spent a season at Barcelona but returned last summer on a free after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
The former Germany international was handed a one-year deal and was not expected to be a starting player for City in his second spell.
How was Ilkay Gundogan’s contract extension triggered?
But a slew of injuries to key players meant Gundogan has played more frequently than initially planned, making 43 appearances and amassing more than 2700 minutes.
Only Josko Gvardiol has played more than Gundogan, who turned 34 in October. And his involvement sees the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder receive an automatic extension for another season.
“He has one more year contract, definitely,” Guardiola confirmed in a press conference.
“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 (vs Crystal Palace is the Gundo I remember, when we won the Treble and Quadruple and an important player.
“So his activity, his pace, his defensive intelligence arrived. Gundo has been with us massively. And as a team we could not help him, because it’s not about you, you, you. “Everyone was down, was below, because the team was not playing good.
“When the team plays good, the individuals rise. Without that, in modern football you can not do it.”
Ilkay Gundogan’s 43 appearances sees him receive a contract extension. Image: Getty
Gundogan could still leave City for a second time and there has been strong reported interest from Galatasaray, though any potential suitors would have to pay a transfer fee.
Though a City legend, Gundogan has looked off the pace in midfield at times and admitted there was an “unbelievable” difference in the Premier League after his year away.
Guardiola himself has said Gundogan doesn’t “have the legs to run 40m” but his first City signing is now poised to stick around until 2026.
