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Gündogan: No deadline on my contract

Davis Van Opdorp (SID)February 4, 2016

After signing a one-year contract extension, Ilkay Gündogan is in danger of reliving the same scenario this summer. However, he still has not set a deadline to address his Borussia Dortmund future.

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Fußball Bundesliga Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Borussia Dortmund Ilkay Gündogan
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G. Kirchner

Ilkay Gündogan does not have a deadline with his contract, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder told Sky Sports News in Germany on Thursday.

"It is hard to set a deadline for myself. You also need to listen to your feelings," said Gündogan. "I am not going to put a lot of stress on myself, but I also want to keep all the parties satisfied."

Going into the last year of his contract, Gündogan decided to sign a one-year contract extension in Dortmund to alleviate the concern about his future with the club. With his contract now expiring in less than a year and a half, he faces another tough decision this summer.

"My sights right now are set on playing successful football and remaining top form, I want to play a fantastic role for BVB," Gündogan said.

Avoiding a repeat negotiation

"I am happy that we now have clarity and I am allowed to continue playing for Borussia Dortmund." Those were Gündogan's words after signing his one-year contract extension over the summer. Gündogan has done his best to avoid the topic since then, but now he is in danger of falling into the same trap this summer he was in when he signed the brief extension in the first place.

Last summer, Gündogan was coming off his comeback season after missing over a year with back trouble. His history of injuries is no longer a stigma in the Gündogan narrative, the German international is only four appearances away from matching his total appearances from each of the last two seasons. Now fit and focused on getting Dortmund back into the Champions League, Gündogan knows he cannot stall the same way he did in his injury-prone days.

UEFA Europa League Borussia Dortmund vs. Odds BK Skien
Almost a year away from signing a one-year extension, Ilkay Gündogan is close to falling into a similar contractual situation with Dortmund.Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G. Kirchner

"Of course I want to avoid a similar situation that came about last year," he said.

Several clubs from Italy and Spain were chasing after Gündogan, including Champions League winners and transfer-banned Barcelona. Gündogan, who was born in Gelsenkirchen and joined Borussia Dortmund in 2011, insists he is happy playing his football in the Westfalenstadion.

"I still feel incredibly good with BVB. That was also the case last season. I enjoy wearing the jersey," he said. "It speaks volumes for BVB, but the decision still needs to come. At the moment, I am relaxed.

"Of course I will make a decision that is fair for all parties, but it depends on various factors," he continued. "We don't have anything to keep secret. When there eventually is something, then we will announce it."