- Ilkay Gundogan will leave Barcelona on a free transfer and return to City
- Pep Guardiola is believed to have given the green light for his former captain to return
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The Ilkay Gundogan transfer saga has taken another step forward, with reports claiming the Barcelona man “could leave the club on a free transfer.”
This comes as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given the green light for his former club captain to return.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news on X, with a post that said: ‘We understand that Barcelona have 100% decided to let Ilkay Gündogan leave for free.
‘Manchester City are working on the details of an agreement with Gündogan’s agent, now in the UK, to secure his return.
‘As has already been revealed, Pep Guardiola has said YES.’
Gundogan had no intention of leaving Barcelona this summer, but now looks set to do so
Gundogan could make a shock return to Manchester City after winning the Treble in 2023
Fans have reacted to the update, which seemingly raises more questions than answers.
One fan has questioned the logic of a transitional Barcelona side in letting the 33-year-old leave after just one year, saying: “It’s unbelievable that Barca would let Gündogan go in their rebuilding phase, the club needs a player like him more than he needs the club; Barca have some promising young players but they are still inexperienced and don’t have what it takes to rekindle the club’s lost glory. It’s not a good decision.”
Another questioned the club’s financial ability, given their pursuit of other top names: ‘They basically let him go for free due to their financial problems, can someone explain how they are going to pay €90-100m for Rafael Leao?’
Meanwhile, the news has excited City fans, with one highlighting Gundogan’s influence on the Manchester club’s team dynamic: “(He) should never have left City in the first place. They look more dangerous with him.
‘He gives us something that Nunes and Kovacic haven’t been able to produce as replacements.’
One fan simply expressed his delight at the prospect of the five-time champions returning to the Premier League: “GUNDO IS BACK.”
Gundogan’s move to Barcelona in 2023 was described by the player as ‘a dream move’
But new Barca coach Hansi Flick has told Gundogan he may not be a guaranteed starter.
Gundogan’s departure is believed to be influenced by two factors. The first is his position in the Barcelona squad under new coach Hansi Flick.
The German international and Flick reportedly held a meeting last Thursday, where the manager said he could not guarantee he would be a regular starter.
Flick prefers an approach where the midfield applies pressure higher up the pitch, and new signing Dani Olmo is thought to be instrumental in this philosophy.
Although Flick denies this is the case, he may be influenced by the mitigating financial pressures facing the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Gundogan earns around €20m a year (£17m a year) at Barcelona, and is classed as a “franchise player” due to his salary accounting for more than five per cent of the club’s total wage bill.
The Spanish side have been struggling with money problems for several seasons and were fined £434,000 for breaching UEFA financial rules last year.
They are therefore in a ‘desperate’ situation where they need to raise funds just to register players, including Euro 2024 winner Dani Olmo, who signed for the club earlier this month.
Offloading Gundogan would reportedly free up €14m (£12m) from the club’s fair play budget and could allow Barcelona to reinvest 70 per cent of these savings into new signings.
