Manchester City reportedly want to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona
Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City, 8); Freisteller, Einzelbild, Aktion, action
In a surprise transfer twist, Manchester City reportedly want to resign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona just a year on from leaving the club as a free transfer.
Having spent seven years at the Etihad Stadium and literally won it all with Man City, Gundogan is up there with the best players to have ever worn the sky blue shirt, and it now looks as though manager Pep Guardiola and co. are keen to bring him back.
The German international and treble-winner joined the La Liga giants last summer after coming to the end of his contract and failing to strike a new deal with City, an impasse which frustrated a good chunk of fans, but it no seems the 33-year-old is looking for an exit from the Catalan club.
Having completed just one full season for Barca and being one of the highest earners employed by the Spanish side, Gundogan is now said to have been given permission to explore options according to multiple outlets.
🚨🔵 Understand Pep Guardiola has already approved Ilkay Gündogan’s return to Manchester City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2024
Pep wants Gündo back as talks are now taking place with his camp, first contact made yesterday.
Decision up to Gündogan as he has proposals also from Saudi/Qatar; Man City, on it. pic.twitter.com/7jdk9l6WiD
Given the Spanish side’s ongoing financial struggles, it seems there’s been little opposition to the prospect of the midfielder leaving, with interest from the likes of Saudi Arabia, Turkey – with Gundogan hailing from Turkish parentage – and, of course, the Premier League.
The ex-City star and German Footballer of the Year for 2023 was left out of head coach Hansi Flick’s side for the opening game of the season, though he has insisted that he appreciates Gundogan as a player and as a person, insisting: “I have the feeling that he will stay.”
As for City, having been hit with a huge blow by losing Rodri for up to four months due to surgery, bringing their former captain back into the fold would present a pretty ideal solution to help take his place in the middle of the park for the time being.
Guardiola brought in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea as his replacement for around £25 in the previous summer transfer window, but having both in the same team to help cover the two distinct roles would be a very good plan B.
I'm probably in the minority here but as much as I love Gundogan and would welcome his return.. I do hope Kovacic gets his minutes and I believe he's more than good enough to be our "short term solution" until we move for someone in the future. https://t.co/RjePxvs3H7
— SHEIKH 👑 (@SheikhMCI) August 19, 2024
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Elsewhere, sidelined defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips might have finally gotten the opportunity to stake a claim in the first team in Rodri’s absence, but the Yorkshireman has already agreed to join newly-promoted Ipswich Town on loan after limited game time over the last couple of years.
Pep himself has yet to address the reports of Gundogan’s return but it goes without saying that the comeback would be a welcome one from a City fan’s standpoint.
Let’s put it to you then, Blues – it might be a somewhat stupid question but would you be glad to see City re-sign Gundogan and back under the floodlights at the Etihad?
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Featured Images — Steffen Prößdorf (via Wikimedia Commons)