Dortmund confirm Gundogan will not extend contract past 2016

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will not extend his contract with the club past June 2016.

The news was revealed on the club’s official Twitter account.

This means the German international will likely leave the Bundesliga club this summer, with Dortmund keen to avoid a repeat of the situation which saw striker Robert Lewandowski join Bayern Munich on a free transfer last summer.

Earier this week, Dortmund’s Sporting Director Michael Zorc stated that a decision on Gundogan’s future would be made “soon”, after reports broke last week linking the midfielder with a move to Manchester United.

It now appears the 24-year-old is one step closer from trading the Westfalenstadion for Old Trafford next season.

Gundogan was plagued with a back injury which saw him miss the entire 2013-14 campaign. However, the midfielder has returned to form this season while leading Dortmund to the German Cup final.

The German international has scored 12 goals and made 112 appearances for the club since moving from 1. FC Nurnberg in 2011.

Gundogan has also been linked with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months.