FC Barcelona Star Gundogan Hands In Shock Transfer Request ...

FC Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has asked to leave the club in the current transfer window ... [+] according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

FC Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has asked to leave the club in the current transfer window according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

The veteran was a surprise omission from Hansi Flick's Matchday 1 squad list when it was released approaching midday in Catalonia on Saturday.

Jijantes' Gerard Romero explained that Gundogan would not face Valencia at the Mestalla, in Barca's 2024/2025 season opener, because of a blow to the eyebrow received in the 3-0 Joan Gamper Trophy loss to AS Monaco at the turn of the week.

The Germany international came on at half time in the traditional fixture, but was brought off 22 minutes later after losing the ball for one of the visitors' goals.

In another corner of X, however, RAC1's Marta Ramon tweeted that the real reason Gundogan had been left out was to put pressure on him to up sticks.

With an hour and a half to spare until kick off, SPORT reported the sensational news that Gundogan, who only joined Barca a year ago on a free transfer from Manchester City, has asked to leave his current employers in the ongoing transfer window.

"Ilkay Gundogan wants to put an end to his time at FC Barcelona," wrote the Catalan newspaper.

"The German midfielder has said 'enough' and has already conveyed to both the coaching staff and the sporting area his willingness to agree on an exit before the end of the current summer market," it added.

This means that head coach Hansi Flick, who once made him captain of his country, and Sporting Director Deco should be in the know about Gundogan's wishes.

Rumours circulated a while ago that Gundogan is a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia or Turkey, where his parents hail from, but so far there have been no concrete offers for a figure who turns 34 in October.

In the Turkish Super Lig, Galatasaray's president has expressed his desire to sign Gundogan more than once while Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce is also prepared to move heaven and earth to land the 2022/2023 treble winner with Manchester City.

Back to Barca, it would be convenient to get Gundogan's high salary off the pay roll at a time when the club is trying to navigate Financial Fair Play limits in order to register players or make new signings.

With the purchase of Dani Olmo, Flick has more than enough attacking midfielders on his hands - saying as much during preseason - and can afford to lose Gundogan from a sporting perspective.