HITC understands that Ilkay Gundogan has agreed to an emotional return to Manchester City after a year at Barcelona.
Manchester City were previously interested in Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig but Olmo, who shone at Euro 2024 in Germany, decided to move to FC Barcelona.
We had reported that Ilkay Gundogan himself had two options in mind over his next move with Barcelona now ready to allow the German midfielder to depart Camp Nou on a free transfer.
The choice was a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce or a return to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and it seems the allure of playing with Pep Guardiola was too hard to resist.
22 Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona during the Trofeu Joan Gamper Fest match FC Barcelona vs AS Monaco at Estadi Lluis Companys on August 12th, 2024 …
Ilkay Gundogan agrees Man City return
Sources have confirmed to HITC that Premier League champion City and Ilkay Gundogan have agreed terms on his return to the Etihad.
HITC had revealed earlier this week that Gundogan had decided to depart the Spanish giants and a move to City was one of his priorities and now a return has agreed which will see the German midfielder line up for Guardiola’s side.
HITC can confirm that Guardiola spoke with the German midfielder over the weekend when it became known that he was looking to leave and following those talks he made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that they should bring him back.
Gundogan featured 304 times for City, scored 60 goals and provided 38 assists with the German midfielder playing a key role as the Citizens won the treble back in the 2022/23 campaign.
Gundogan agrees to one year deal at City
Now, after talks with the Premier League champions, Gundogan has agreed to sign a one-year deal at the Etihad Stadium with an option for another year.
Barcelona want the deal done before the weekend so they can sign Gundogan off their wage big which will allow them to register Dani Olmo, amongst other things.
The Spanish side completed the signing of Olmo earlier this summer but due to financial issues at the club, Barcelona have not been able to register their big-money signing.
As for Gundogan, it appears City will be bringing back one of their modern-day legends as they hope to make it five Premier League titles in a row.