Manchester City Signs Ilkay Gundogan From Barca: German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will leave FC Barcelona on a free to return to Manchester City this summer.
Gundogan is a certified legend at City. First signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2016-17 by Pep Guardiola, the German has won everything there is to win with the Sky-Blues. This includes the treble in 2022-23, the year in which he was named Germany’s Player of the Year as well as winning his first UEFA Champions League title.
But seeing how he was coming towards the latter half of his career, the 33-year-old was sold to Barcelona. In his only season at the Catalan club, Gundogan scored five goals and assisted 14 in 51 games; he was also included in the La Liga Team of the Season as the club finished second on the table behind Real Madrid.
Check Out: Barcelona In Financial Trouble: Gundogan Is Another Victim
Manchester City Signs Ilkay Gundogan From Barca
But it now seems that the German is on his way back to England, back to his old club. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Ilkay Gundogan will be going back to Man City on a one-year contract.
“Ilkay Gündogan back to Manchester City, here we go! Deal in place with German midfielder to join on contract valid until June 2025. Agreement reached after positive talks in last 48h and Pep Guardiola said yes, as revealed yesterday. Gündogan will leave Barça for FREE,” Romano tweeted.
Gundogan’s departure might be a sign of bigger problems for FC Barcelona. The club has been facing financial troubles since their re-work of Camp Nou was hampered by the COVID pandemic, which left the club in serious financial woes.
At multiple points in the last four years, the club has not only had to sell players to make some cash but has also had trouble registering new signings for the upcoming season, an issue they faced when signing Sergio Aguero a few seasons ago.
When Joan Laporta came back as the club president in 2021, he promised slow but sure change in the club’s finances and fortunes. But that seems to have not happened. The issue of not being able to register new signings has popped up again, as Barca has yet to register new signing Dani Olmo just days before the end of the summer transfer window.
On the other hand, Manchester City needs a leader in the midfield. Rodri, who was among the best midfielders in the world last season, missed the final of the 2024 UEFA Euros before missing City’s pre-season camp, suggesting he is still getting into game shape. Gundogan, who captained the club to their first UCL win, will bring a positive presence to Pep’s side, which is going for their fifth Premier League title in a row.
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