Ilkay Gundogan’s agent addresses shock Barcelona exit rumours
The midfielder joined the Catalan club this summer
FC Barcelona player Ilkay Gundogan’s agent and brother, Ilhan, addressed the rumours of the 33-year-old midfielder leaving the Catalan club saying that the reports do not reflect the truth.
Multiple reports emerged from Turkey stating that Ilkay and his brother met with Galatasaray’s representative to prepare for a move to the Turkish giants but the midfielder’s agent has now categorically denied the reports.
“The reports in the press these days about Ilkay do not reflect the truth,’ Ilhan said via Mundo Deportivo. “I did not meet anyone from Galatasaray before the Bayern Munich game to talk about Ilkay.”
“There was no development, meeting or anything that came to us in this regard.
“I want to make this clear. Neither I nor Ilkay can understand how this news came about. Ilkay is very happy at Barcelona and is focused on what he wants to achieve there and on his goals,” he added.
Gundogan just joined Barcelona last summer and quickly became one of the most important players for head coach Xavi Hernandez having played all 13 league matches so far.
It must be noted that the 33-year-old complained about his teammates for not being “upset” enough after they lost to Real Madrid 1-2 at their home courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winner and a thunderbolt in the second half.
“This is a little bit the problem," Gundogan told LaLiga TV. "There has to be more emotion, especially when you lose and when you know you can perform better, do better in certain situations and you just don’t react.”
Xavi agreed with Gundogan’s comments that the players should show more characters but he also said that the German isn’t yet used to Barcelona’s culture.
“Conforming is not part of Barcelona’s DNA," Xavi said. "There is a demand for excellence and to win here.
“Gundogan’s interview was spoken about within the dressing room, he clarified what he meant and there is no problem. No one has to tell us what the demands are at Barca — especially me having spent my whole life at the club.
“We agree with Gundogan and don’t see any controversy. We lost El Clasico because we made mistakes. There was a lack of concentration and we disconnected,” he added.
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