Summer overhaul complete as Guardiola puts faith in young stars
- Published
Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Manuel Akanji and now Ilkay Gundogan. Manchester City's summer overhaul of their squad has been completed - and just take a look at the amount of experience lost from the dressing room.
Boss Pep Guardiola openly spoke about the need to work with a smaller squad as he did not want "leave four or five players at home" on matchdays, but it is a new and younger group that will now take the club forward.
Sources had told BBC Sport earlier in the window that Gundogan would be allowed to explore his options if a good enough offer came in and the 34-year-old has now been allowed to depart.
German-born but with Turkish heritage, Gundogan heads 'home' to Galatasaray, a club he apparently supported as a kid after posting such pictures on social media.
Gundogan will forever be remembered for his late double to seal the Premier League title in 2022 and will undoubtedly receive a tremendous welcome when he returns to the Etihad with Galatasaray in January in the group phase of the Champions League.