Manchester City has reached an agreement with FC Barcelona star Ilkay Gundogan for its former player … [+]
Manchester City has reached an agreement with FC Barcelona star Ilkay Gundogan for its former player to return to the Etihad according to various outlets including The Athletic and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, who cited anonymous sources.
Gundogan joined Barca on a free transfer from the Mancunians just 14 months ago, after lifting a treble in northwestern England as the team’s captain, which included City’s maiden Champions League crown.
The veteran reportedly turned down an offer from City to extend on more money, in order to complete what he described as a dream move to the Catalans.
In a trophyless season plagued with injuries to the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, the general consensus is that Gundogan was one of Barca’s strongest performers under fired former head coach Xavi Hernandez.
On the watch of Hansi Flick, who once made Gundogan the captain of the German national team, the 33-year-old was expected to continue in the heart of Barca’s midfield even though there were rumours linking him with a possible move away from the club.
Those picked up at the weekend when Gundogan was a surprise omission from Flick’s Matchday 1 squad to face Valencia.
While Gundogan congratulated his soon-to-be former teammates on Twitter for launching a heroic comeback at the Mestalla, while Flick also told Spanish television he believed Gundogan would stay on, reports from the likes of Radio Catalunya and Cadena SER linked him with a return to City.
Romano then reported that City boss Pep Guardiola had accepted Gundogan’s return, and pretty much 24 hours later, the Italian and The Athletic have reported a total agreement between the club and its former charge.
The Athletic explains that the two-year contract that Gundogan had with Barca will be rescinded so that he can rejoin the Premier League giants.
At City, he will pen a one-year deal with an options 12 months and should be welcomed back to Etihad with open arms by the fans plus Guardiola and his staff.
As for Barca, many Culers are perplexed as to how their club can allow ‘Gundo’ to leave for free even though they paid nothing for him in 2023.
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