Manchester City reach agreement with Barcelona midfielder – deal pending official confirmation

Manchester City will bring back former captain Ilkay Gundogan just a year after he left the Etihad to sign for Barcelona. The Catalan side have pushed him towards the exit door due to their salary limit struggles.

The 33-year-old signed a two-year deal at the Catalan side with an option for a third, but will exit after one season. City have agreed a one-year deal with Gundogan, after reaching an agreement in the last 48 hours.

🚨🔵 Ilkay Gündogan back to Manchester City, here we go! Deal in place with German midfielder to join on contract valid until June 2025.

Agreement reached after positive talks in last 48h and Pep Guardiola said yes, as revealed yesterday.

Gündogan will leave Barça for FREE. pic.twitter.com/XqkDZlMEtk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024

The move will not involve a fee, with Barcelona simply content to save his reported €15-20m gross salary (€7.5-10m net). Gundogan will waive all of his remaining two years of salary say The Athletic, with his third season triggered by playing 60% of the games.

It is reported that Barcelona will be able to register star signing Dani Olmo with the money they save from Gundogan’s exit. Gundogan also had interest from Saudi Arabia and Galatasaray in Turkey, but called Pep Guardiola to broach the topic of a return, which he then gave the green light to.

Last season Gundogan played more than anyone else for Xavi Hernandez, making 51 appearances, scoring 5 goals and giving a career-high 14 assists. He was deployed in a number of roles, but was a candidate for player of the season for the Blaugrana. With Hansi Flick seeking to change style and formation though, he reportedly informed Gundogan that he would not necessarily be a starter for Barcelona this year.