5 teams that could sign Ilkay Gundogan this summer
By Vijay Vemu
Where could the Borussia Dortmund midfielder go when he leaves the Westfalenstadion this summer?
Despite being linked to major clubs during the summer and winter transfer window, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was not sold by the club but that is about to change. According to multiple reports, including one from Football Italia, the German international has reportedly told Dortmund that he will not be looking to extend his contract past 2017 and will likely leave in the summer.
Gundogan has been an important piece in the Dortmund midfield for quite some time. He arrived to Dortmund from FC Nurnberg for a fee of around 5M Euros and has made that fee look like a steal for BVB. Gundogan has scored a goal and has two assists in 20 games for the club this year.
He is a vital part of the midfield for a Dortmund team that likes to control the ball and when they don’t have it, they work insanely hard to get it back. Him with the likes of Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin have helped shore up the midfield offensively and defensively.
He was crucial in BVB’s run to the Champions League final back in 2013, which ended in a heartbreaking loss to rivals Bayern Munich. Gundogan was fantastic in the semi-final against Real Madrid as he helped spark a Dortmund rally in the second leg.
His play in the midfield help set up Robert Lewandowski score a super hat trick and lead Dortmund to the final. He also stapled his mark in the final when he slotted a goal past Manuel Neur from the penalty spot to score Dortmund’s only goal in that game.
Now he is set to leave BVB this summer after telling the club he won’t sign an extension and many teams will be gunning for his signature. His contract expires in 2017 and Dortmund will be looking to cash in on him this summer. Here are five teams that have the best chance of snatching up the midfielder.
Next: 5. Bayern Munich