“Every coach wants to have him on his team" - Turkish side give up on Barcelona star as he plans to stay with La Liga giants

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has ruled out the possibility of the club signing Ilkay Gundogan from La Liga giants Barcelona. The midfielder is of Turkish descent and has been linked with a move to Turkey as he enters the late stages of his career.

The former Manchester City midfielder joined Blaugrana this season after winning the treble under Pep Guardiola. However, due to Los Cules' tenuous financial situation, a potential departure was suggested this summer.

The German had a decent season in La Liga, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in 36 appearances but was unable to help his side beat Real Madrid to the title.

In a recent interview, manager Okan Buruk ruled out the possibility of bringing the treble-winning playmaker to Galatasaray, saying (via Barca Universal):

"Gundogan will continue at Barcelona, Every coach wants to have him on his team but I know that Ilkay will continue his career in Barcelona for one more year. He is a very high-level player in terms of personality and character, but it is certain that he will continue there for another year.”

The German midfielder will be focused on impressing his compatriot Hansi Flick and new Barca manager next season, with the pair hoping to return Blaugrana to glory at least in La Liga. Gundogan is at Euro 2024 with Die Mannschaft and will want to return to Catalonia as a European champion.

Barcelona will want to La Liga next season under new manager Hansi Flick

Barcelona will hope they can return to the top next season after struggling to challenge Real Madrid in the recently-concluded campaign. Los Blancos lost just one game all season and Blaugrana will have to be at their best if they hope to claim the league from their rivals.

Hansi Flick heads into the job in Catalonia hoping he can banish the ghosts of his disappointing reign in charge of the German national side. He will hope he can recreate the treble-winning form he enjoyed with Bayern Munich in 2020 his new job.

The Catalan giants are in dire financial straits and the former Bayern boss will have to repeat the success of Xavi Hernandez from two seasons ago. La Liga is poised to witness a magnificent struggle between the eternal rivals as Carlo Ancelotti’s glorious Los Blancos side will face a new iteration of La Blaugrana.