Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan hints at stay

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has recovered his form and fitness this season.

Ilkay Gundogan has set himself no deadline to decide his future but said "a lot speaks for" staying at Borussia Dortmund.
Gundogan, 25, has this season finally recovered the form that saw him play a key role in Dortmund's run to the Champions League final in 2012-13 after having suffered back problems since.

BVB had announced in April last year that the Germany international would not renew his contract but he subsequently agreed a one-year extension until 2017, despite links with clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

The holding midfielder must now decide whether to sign fresh terms at the Westfalenstadion or seek a transfer before the expiry of his contract, but he told Sky Sport in Germany that he is "actually relaxed about this" as he mulls his options.

"There will be decision at one point, but it depends on various factors," he said. "Time will bring a decision, which hopefully will be very fair for everyone involved.

"We have nothing to hide, and we'll announce something when we have something to announce."

Gundogan added that he is always in talks with the club hierarchy but said that any negotiations involving contract matters are held by his representatives.

He added: "It's difficult to set yourself a deadline, and you also have to go with your gut, but I want to satisfy those involved and I also want to avoid the situation we had last year."

Gundogan, who joined from Nurnberg in 2011, told the broadcaster he feels even better at Dortmund this season, mainly because of the sporting situation, with new coach Thomas Tuchel having lifted the club back into title contention after Jurgen Klopp's difficult final year.

"I enjoy playing football here, the lads are great, the coaching staff too," he said. "A lot speaks for BVB, but like I've said, we'll see what happens."


When asked whether he turned an offer to join Juventus in the January transfer window, he replied: "I don't want to answer this, but since I am still a Borussia Dortmund player it shows that I still have this club in my heart very much, and it means a lot to me."

Gundogan, who has also been linked with Manchester City recently, said "the sporting perspective" is most important aspect when deciding whether to prolong his stay at BVB, even if he accepts that Bayern remain ahead of the pack in Germany.

"The domestic title in Germany -- now that's a thing," he explained. "Bayern are really dominant. They have a very, very good team, and have created a very, very good level in recent years. They will remain favourites for the Bundesliga title in the upcoming years."

He added that he does not "have to win titles every year" but said: "Those are the moments you can look back on after your career. That's why you play football, and love this sport.

"Titles are always the goal, especially when you have the quality as a team, but also as a player. It's a responsibility to chase that goal."