Fans react to the news that İlkay Gündoğan is heading back to Manchester City

  1. Home
  2. Sport
Gundogan heading back to Manchester City

In a rather sensational twist in this year’s summer transfer window, it looks as though a deal is all but done to bring İlkay Gündoğan back to Manchester City.

Barely a year on from leaving the Etihad for nothing last summer, Gündoğan is now on his way back to Man City after just one season with Barcelona and is also set to depart on a free transfer.

Despite being tied to the Nou Camp on paper until 2026, the 33-year-old has been released from Hansi Flick’s side at no cost to City and is expected to sign his comeback contract imminently.

Unsurprisingly, Blues are absolutely buzzing to see the former club favourite on his way back to 0161 and plenty of Barca fans are just as surprised too, with the story developing almost overnight.

As confirmed by the likes of The Athletic‘s Tom Sanderson, the two clubs have reached an agreement for City’s Treble-winning captain and 2023 German Footballer of the Year to return to the fold on a one-year deal with the option to extend for a further 12 months.

The outlet also confirmed that the remaining two years of his contract in Spain have been rescinded in order to rejoin the Premier League champions as soon as possible, having already been left out of the lineup for the opening game of the season for Barca.

Club president Joan Laporta has effectively been forced to allow the midfielder to leave for free given that his wages as one of the club’s highest earners are simply too much and would have otherwise prevented them from bringing in new signings.

This seems to be an ongoing dilemma for the Spanish giants who, despite their persistent financial struggles, continue to sign big talents for big money only to find themselves in an even bigger pickle after the fact, sometimes even struggling to register players once deals have already been agreed.

Not that City fans mind one bit, of course; supporters are already dreaming of an immediately improved midfield with Gündoğan and his replacement, Mateo Kovačić, soon set to occupy the middle of the park together and what it could mean for their tactics moving forward.

Read more:

With first-team star and Euro 2024 winner Rodri set to be out for several months, Gündoğan returning to Man City couldn’t have come at a better or more opportune time for both parties, as his services are needed right away and a regular place is pretty much guaranteed as a loyal servant under Pep Guardiola.

Gündoğan was Pep’s first signing when he joined the club back in 2016 and helped begin their period of domestic dominance and journey towards a maiden Champions League, so it goes with saying that the two have played a key role in each other’s legacies.

It also said that Guardiola himself was a key factor in City finalising a deal to bring Gündoğan back to the club, with the Catalan coach jumping at the chance to talk with him amid interest from the likes of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Arsenal back in the Premier League.

It’s been nothing but good news around the Etihad over the last 48 hours or so, with both Phil Foden and Bunny Shaw picking up Player of the Year at the 2024 PFA Awards following two outstanding respective seasons.

Elsewhere, former City Academy product turned Chelsea star and now England international Cole Palmer picked up the Young Player of the Year award, whilst Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton picked up the same award in the women’s game following an impressive campaign on loan at Spurs.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — As-faerniaty (via GoodFon)