Gündogan to leave BVB

Borussia Dortmund announced the news via Twitter on Thursday after a flurry of recent media speculation that Gündogan, 24, would be leaving. Sporting Director Michael Zorc had stated earlier this week that, "A decision will be made on Ilkay's future soon."

It has been suggested that Gündogan will move to English Premier League side Manchester United. However, in the same statement, Zorc said, "There has been no contact with Manchester United. There is no signature, no offer, no enquiry and not even any contact." Gündogan has also been vaguely linked with Bayern Munich.

The midfielder's current contract with Borussia Dortmund runs until June 30, 2016. BVB now have two options: selling the 24-year old before the end of his deal, or allowing his contract to run out enabling him to leave the club for free - as former striker Robert Lewandowski did in joining Bayern Munich last summer.

Gündogan has been hampered by a back injury suffered in August 2013, which saw him miss the entire 2013/14 season and 88 club matches until his return in October 2014. Still he remains one of the most coveted midfield transfer targets in Europe.

Gündogan joined Borussia Dortmund from 1. FC Nürnberg in 2011, for a fee of 5.5 million euros (6.13 million dollars). He has made 112 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.