Manchester City are reportedly on the verge of re-signing Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer less than 14 months after the playmaker joined Barcelona.
Former Germany captain Gundogan won every major trophy during eight years at City, signing for Barca after his contract expired at the end of the 2023-24 season.
City manager Pep Guardiola has been involved in “positive talks” during the last 48 hours about the return of the midfielder who captained his team to the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Uefa Champions League during his last campaign at Etihad Stadium, Fabrizio Romano has said.
🚨🔵 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. pic.twitter.com/XqkDZlMEtk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024
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Gundogan City move ‘in place’
Gundogan, who contributed five goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances for Barca, will make the move on a free transfer with a contract until June 2025, according to the transfer reporter.
Barcelona continue to face financial pressure, with their issues preventing them from registering Dani Olmo after signing the midfielder from RB Leipzig for around £51 million earlier this month.
Freeing up Gundogan’s salary, which Mundo Deportivo has said is around £17m, would ease their plight and help a City squad missing several key players who only started training days before the start of the season following international tournaments.
Gundogan City transfer
Attacking midfielder Oscar Bobb impressed in a similar role to the one Gundogan could play during pre-season, only to suffer a fractured leg which is expected to keep the 21-year-old Norway international out for up to four months.
Argentina forward Julian Alvarez’s abrupt departure to Atletico Madrid at his behest for £81.5m has also given Guardiola fewer options in attack.
İlkay Gündoğan and Robert Lewandowski pick up their La Liga Team of the Season awards! 🏆 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/hSSg3Md8mJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 28, 2024
Five-time Premier League winner Gundogan joined City from Dortmund and made 304 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.
Gundogan Barcelona future
The 33-year-old was left out of Barca’s squad for their 2-1 comeback win at Valencia in their opening game of the season on Saturday, when Robert Lewandowski scored twice.
“I spoke with him to know how he feels ahead of the season,” new manager Hansi Flick said of Gundogan afterwards. “I know him very well.
“I appreciate the player and the person he is. We spoke about everything but it will stay between us. It’s not for you to know. I have the feeling he will stay.”
City won their first Premier League match of 2024-25 2-0 at Chelsea on Sunday and are at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday (3pm BST).
