Ilkay Gundogan, 24, has been the talk of transfer speculation over the past few months with his future still unclear. Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are the frontrunners for the German midfielder's signature, as he attempts to get back to his best following a troublesome twelve month spell with injuries galore plaguing his development.
German media outlets suggested that Dortmund's 3-1 defeat at the hands of VfL Wolfsburg, was Gundogan's last match in a BVB shirt, as he seeks pastures new - wanting to play UEFA Champions League football. He rejected a contract extension offer previously back in May, and the Bundesliga outfit are eager to sell him now when they can still recoup a relatively fair transfer fee as opposed to losing him on a free transfer next season, when he'd be free to talk to other clubs in January of 2016.
When asked during his post-match press interview as to if he is learning Catalan (Barca) or Bavarian (Bayern), he said: "We are holding talks yes, but no decision has been made. I cannot say more than this." Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, admitted that he was set to leave, but adding: "It will depend on offers that reach the club."
Gundogan would be seen as a traitor if he joined Bayern, as have two of his former team-mates, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Götze have, in the past two years. Meanwhile, if he wanted to make a move to Spain with Barca, he'd had to wait until January next year, as the La Liga champions' transfer ban comes into effect this summer.
United are eager to sign him as a possible replacement for Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield, with Marouane Fellaini not seen as a world-class player to justify playing regular first-team football with the likes of Ander Herrera, Angel di Maria and Juan Mata in the side. Louis van Gaal has a lot of riches within his team, making team selections a difficult choice for almost every game, but it's assumed that if Ilkay were to join, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet, fitness permitting.
Dortmund meanwhile will be hoping to cash in on the 24-year-old, with a reported transfer fee of in excess of £20million pounds one to which they'll be expected to consider. In this current market, they'll be eager to see more than one offer, to choose the highest bidder, in this case as they want to restrengthen the whole team and look to build on what has been a lacklustre season for their high standards.