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Ilkay Gundogan is set to return to Manchester City after agreeing to rejoin the Premier League club on a free transfer from Barcelona. The 33-year-old German midfielder will sign a one-year contract with City, with an option to extend for another 12 months.
Gundogan had joined Barcelona last summer following the expiration of his City contract in June 2023. Despite playing 36 matches in his debut season, he has been informed that he is not part of new head coach Hansi Flick’s future plans.
The midfielder is said to be surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou. According to Spanish outlet Marca, the reason why FC Barcelona are so eager to part ways with Gundogan is down to complications with registering new signing, Dani Olmo.
To facilitate his return to Manchester City, Gundogan is forgoing the remaining two years of salary he was entitled to at Barcelona, which was secured when he played over 60 percent of the team’s games last season.
During his first stint with Manchester City, Gundogan made 188 appearances and played a key role in their success, winning the Premier League five times, the FA Cup twice, and the Champions League once.
City manager Pep Guardiola has approved the move after discussions with Gundogan, making City the frontrunners for his return.
So far, City’s transfer window has been relatively quiet, with the Brazilian Savinho being their only senior signing, while Julian Alvarez has moved to Atletico Madrid.
City won their opening Premier League match against Chelsea and are set to play Ipswich Town next.
Earlier this week, Gundogan announced his retirement from international football after captaining Germany at the European Championship, which took place on home soil this summer.