Only 11 minutes of playing time so far this season! Ilkay Gündogan and two other professionals are said to have ended up on Galatasaray's hit list
Ilkay Gündogan and two other professionals are said to have been sidelined at Galatasaray. According to a newspaper report, they are set to leave the Turkish champions in the winter. Is Gündogan headed for MLS?
Ilkay Gündogan has spent just 11 minutes on the pitch for Galatasaray Istanbul in this still-young season before Sunday's game against Kocaelispor at 7pm in the Süper Lig. He came off the bench in the opening league game against Corum FK, a 2-2 draw, and then played another six minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Heavy criticism followed for the former Germany captain. One pundit mocked the midfielder's lack of pace, while fans on social media demanded he leave.
Galatasaray's hierarchy are unlikely to pay much attention to social media, but they have reportedly reached the same conclusion. According to the widely read Turkish anti-government newspaper Sözcu, the Turkish champions are considering offloading a trio including Gündogan in the winter.
Why is Ilkay Gündogan no longer playing for Galatasaray?
Alongside Gündogan, that group is also said to include Gelsenkirchen-born former Schalke player Kaan Ayhan and Wilfried Singo. Ayhan, 31, has managed just one minute this season and was not registered for the Champions League, while 25-year-old defender Singo has played the most of the three so far, with 41 minutes.
Journalist Ibrahim Seten also said on the YouTube channel 343 Digital that the trio were on a kind of chopping block list. He also named an alleged next destination for Gündogan. According to the report, the former Manchester City and Barcelona star is being drawn to MLS or Saudi Arabia.
Gündogan joined his favourite club Galatasaray in autumn 2025. He still made 38 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring two goals and providing five assists, but he has barely featured in the current campaign. The reason is said to be purely tactical and sporting, with nothing known of any falling-out or anything similar with coach Okan Buruk.
