Manchester City return ‘imminent’ for Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona veteran Ilkay Gundogan looks set to leave the club this summer, after manager Hansi Flick made it clear he would not be a starter, and the club told him that his exit would help the club greatly in the transfer market. The 33-year-old looks poised to return to Manchester City.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already given the green light to a return for Gundogan, and his relationship with the Catalan is thought to be strong. RAC1 report that a deal is imminent, with Barcelona simply hoping to save money on his salary, and City open to a deal as long as it is on a free.

The Gündogan case is heading for a quick resolution after the latest contacts between him and Pep Guardiola. @victor_nahe

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 20, 2024

Gundogan was not looking to leave Barcelona, but will do so as an act of generosity to the club, just a year after he was signed on a free. The German has a year left on his current deal with an option for a further season. Galatasaray have been linked with Gundogan, but he was not intending on leaving the top level so early, while his camp have discarded the option to go to Saudi Arabia, following contacts between Al-Nassr and Barcelona.

The Athletic say that terms are still to be agreed, but have confirmed that City are leading the race to sign him. It is also claimed that Gundogan called Guardiola personally to tell him he wanted to return to the Etihad.

🚨 Manchester City are frontrunners to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan.

He is expected to leave Barcelona for free. Terms between the player and City still need to be discussed. Pep and Gundogan have already spoken. https://t.co/bAtNgJ3bjC@TheAthleticFC

— Pol Ballús (@polballus) August 20, 2024

With Barcelona in excess of their salary limit, they will only be able to use 70% of the money they save on Gundogan’s wages, but it is believed that this will be sufficient to register new signing Dani Olmo. The former La Masia playmaker arrived two weeks ago for €55m plus €7m in variables from RB Leipzig.

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