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Gündoğan Denies Galatasaray Exit Reports Despite Minimal Playing Time
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In brief
İlkay Gündoğan has not announced a departure from Galatasaray; instead, the midfielder publicly denied reports of a winter exit on October 12, 2026, saying he wants to stay beyond the transfer window. The denial came after the 35-year-old complained about limited playing time and amid Turkish media reports that the club wanted to move him to cut wage costs.
İlkay Gündoğan has rejected reports that he is heading for a winter exit from Galatasaray, telling Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo on October 12, 2026, that transfer rumours about him are "not true." The statement, relayed by Turkish outlets Sözcü, NTV and Cumhuriyet, came a day ahead of Galatasaray's Champions League match against Barcelona, scheduled for October 13.
What Gündoğan said
The transfer rumours are not true. I want to stay here beyond the winter transfer window and give everything to win another title with Galatasaray.
In the same interview, cited by Cumhuriyet, Gündoğan described Barcelona as the clear favourite for the Champions League tie and said Galatasaray would have to defend flawlessly to beat them. He also praised Barcelona's young forward Lamine Yamal for his maturity on the pitch.
Why the speculation started
The denial followed days of reporting about tension between Gündoğan and the club. After Galatasaray's 3-1 league win over Kasımpaşa, the midfielder was asked by reporters if he was ready for the Barcelona match and replied that since he was not playing, there was no reason for him to be ready, according to NTV. He had been expected to start against Kasımpaşa but was left on the bench and was replaced during the match by younger player Renato Nhaga.
According to Goal.com, Gündoğan has played only 11 minutes across two matches this season since joining Galatasaray in September 2025, and had gone six consecutive league games without appearing before the Kasımpaşa match. Turkish newspaper Sabah reported, as cited by Goal.com, that Galatasaray wanted to move him on in the winter window to remove his reported annual salary of roughly 4.5 million euros from the wage bill.
| Figure | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 35 | Goal.com |
| Minutes played this season | 11, across 2 matches | Goal.com |
| Reported annual salary | ~€4.5 million | Goal.com, citing Sabah |
| Contract status | Expires at end of season | Goal.com |
| Joined Galatasaray | September 2025 | Goal.com |
Background
Gündoğan, a Germany international, joined Galatasaray in September 2025 after a spell at Barcelona, where he previously played under coach Xavi — a period he recalled to Mundo Deportivo, as reported by fichajes.com, with gratitude, describing it as a dream come true. He had also played for Manchester City before moving to Barcelona.
Goal.com reported that a return to German second-division club 1. FC Nürnberg, where Gündoğan began his professional career, has been mentioned as a possible destination if he leaves Galatasaray as a free agent next summer, when his current contract runs out. No such move has been confirmed by Gündoğan, Galatasaray or Nürnberg.
What is known and what is not
- Known: Gündoğan has publicly denied a winter departure and said he wants to stay past the transfer window.
- Known: He has played just 11 minutes this season and was benched against Kasımpaşa.
- Known: Turkish reports say Galatasaray's club management has discussed moving him on to reduce wage costs.
- Not confirmed: Any agreement between Galatasaray and another club, including Nürnberg.
- Not confirmed: What happens to his contract, which Goal.com reports expires at season's end.
Questions
- Did İlkay Gündoğan announce he is leaving Galatasaray?
- No. On October 12, 2026, he told Mundo Deportivo that transfer rumours about him were not true and that he wants to stay at Galatasaray beyond the winter transfer window.
- Why were there reports of a Gündoğan exit?
- He has played only 11 minutes in two matches this season, was left on the bench against Kasımpaşa, and Turkish newspaper Sabah reported the club wanted to move him in winter to cut his reported €4.5 million salary from the wage bill, according to Goal.com.
- What did Gündoğan say about being benched?
- Asked if he was ready for the Barcelona Champions League match, he said that since he was not playing, there was no reason for him to be ready, according to NTV.
- When does Gündoğan's Galatasaray contract expire?
- According to Goal.com, his contract runs until the end of the current season, with no extension announced.
- Could Gündoğan still leave Galatasaray?
- Goal.com reported speculation about a possible free move to German club 1. FC Nürnberg next summer, but no transfer has been agreed or confirmed by any party.
How the world is telling it
- SpanishSpanish outlet fichajes.com, drawing on Gündoğan's Mundo Deportivo interview, frames him as settled at Galatasaray and focused on winning another title, while also highlighting his nostalgic comments about his earlier spell at Barcelona under coach Xavi.
Sources
- Sözcü — Galatasaray'ın dünya yıldızından gece yarısı ayrılık açıklaması
- NTV — "Oynamıyorum, niye hazır olayım?" demişti, Galatasaraylı yıldızdan gece yarısı açıklama
- Cumhuriyet — İlkay Gündoğan'dan Barcelona maçı açıklaması: Şampiyonlar Ligi'nin açık ara favorisi
- Goal.com — His big dream has gone up in smoke! Gündogan looks set to be driven out of Gala
- Fichajes.com — İlkay Gündoğan responde a los rumores
This piece was prepared with artificial intelligence and passed an automated source check before publication. If you see an error, ask for a correction. Request a correction or reply · How we make this
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