Manchester City is closing in on a sensational return by Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona, according to very reliable reports. The German midfielder left City back in 2023 when he was out of contract and is set to sign a one-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months.
Gundogan spent seven very successful years at the City from 2016 to 2023, winning 14 trophies, which saw him captain the team to their first UEFA Champions League title. The decision for his return comes after he reportedly handed in a transfer request at Barcelona due to unrest within the club.
Barcelona, meanwhile, continue to count the cost and must work to stay within the La Liga salary cap, and as a result of that they have reluctantly agreed to release Gundogan as a free agent to accommodate the registration of summer signing Dani Olmo. The departure of Gundogan thus closes a very disappointing chapter for the player in one season at Catalonia.
The German player becomes the second in this summer transfer window after Savinho was brought in from Troyes. Gundogan just recently announced his retirement from international football and wanted to concentrate only on club career. He returns to Manchester as City continues their impressive start of the 2024/25 season, with a recent trip ending in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
