If City wants to get to the next level AND have the strategical advantage of financial strength it shouldn't be about money or bargain hunting.
Question is what kind of players do City want and need.
Ilkay has a brilliant technique and a fine passing ability.
But he is not a leader nor a fighter. Not the special kind of winning mentality you need to have to be top.
He is a very polite and intelligent guy, and certainly a good team player.
Would be ok as a sub, or at the side of a big gun like Yaya once was.
Sign the big names first. Then think about Gundogan.
A serious concern certainly is his injury history. Hands off. If that's still possible.