Manchester City summer signing Ilkay Gundogan has confirmed he turned down the chance to join their city rivals Manchester United two years ago.
Gundogan, 24, joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a £20m move over the summer and is expected to develop into a key component of Pep Guardiola’s plans in the coming years.
The Germany international, who has struggled with injuries in the past, had been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past and has revealed he opted against United because it was not the right time to leave Dortmund.
“It was not the biggest lie,” Gundogan told The Daily Telegraph. ‘Two years ago, three years ago it was not the time. I had a contract at Dortmund and I was not thinking of leaving the club so it was not a discussion.”
Gundogan arrived at City over the summer having won possession in the midfield third more times than any other player in the previous two Bundesliga campaigns (237).
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