Barcelona has decided to let Ilkay Gündogan leave for free, paving the way for a potential return to Manchester City. The Catalan club’s decision comes after a solid season from Gündogan, and Manchester City is now working on finalizing the deal with his agent.
- Barcelona has opted to release Gündogan for free.
- Manchester City is negotiating with Gündogan’s agent.
- Pep Guardiola has approved the move, pending Gündogan’s agreement.
Barcelona Decides to Release Gündogan
In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona has decided to let star midfielder Ilkay Gündogan leave for free. The decision comes just a year after Gündogan made the switch from Manchester City to the Catalan giants. Despite a solid season with Barcelona, where he made 36 appearances and scored 5 goals, the club has opted not to retain his services.
🚨🔵 Understand Barcelona have 100% decided to let Ilkay Gündogan leave for free.
Manchester City are working on details of the deal with Gündogan’s agent now in UK to get the comeback done.
As revealed earlier, Pep Guardiola said YES. ✅
Up to Gündo’s green light ⏳ #MCFC https://t.co/RZL1f1R7DT
pic.twitter.com— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
October 05, 2023
Manchester City Steps In
Manchester City are now working diligently to bring Gündogan back to the Etihad Stadium. The club is currently negotiating the details of the deal with Gündogan’s agent, who is already in the UK to facilitate the process. The move has received the green light from City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, who previously coached Gündogan during his first stint at the club. Guardiola’s approval adds significant weight to the potential transfer, making it a highly anticipated comeback for the German international.
Gündogan’s Career and Impact
Ilkay Gündogan has had a distinguished career, playing for top clubs across Europe. Starting his professional journey at VfL Bochum II, he went on to make a name for himself at 1. FC Nürnberg and Borussia Dortmund. His time at Dortmund was particularly noteworthy, as he helped the team win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in the 2011–12 season and reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2012–13.
His move to Manchester City in 2016 for £20 million marked the beginning of a highly successful period. Over seven seasons, Gündogan made 188 appearances and scored 44 goals. He played a crucial role in City’s domestic dominance, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, EFL Cups, and the UEFA Champions League in the 2022-23 season.
The Next Steps
While Barcelona has decided to let Gündogan go, the final decision now rests with the player himself. The move back to Manchester City is pending Gündogan’s agreement, and fans eagerly await his decision. Should he choose to return, it would mark a significant addition to City’s squad as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.
For more insights on Ilkay Gündogan’s career and the current transfer situation, visit the detailed profile on Transfermarkt and Wikipedia.
