Ilkay Gündogan is set to return to Manchester City on a free transfer from Barcelona.
Ilkay Gündogan will rejoin Manchester City on a free transfer, returning a year after leaving for Barcelona. The 33-year-old, who captained City to a treble in 2023, will sign an initial one-year deal with an option for a second. After realizing Barcelona no longer wanted him, Gündogan reached out to Pep Guardiola, leading to a swift agreement. He has agreed to forgo the remaining two years of his salary from Barcelona, saving the club €40 million.
Barcelona, facing a surplus of players in the No 10 position and financial difficulties, did not directly inform Gündogan of their intention to part ways. Despite not being guaranteed a starting role under new coach Hansi Flick, Gündogan, who announced his international retirement this week, was willing to leave if the right opportunity arose. Gündogan had been Barcelona’s third-highest earner and was on a contract that was set to last until 2025, with an automatic extension triggered. His departure will help alleviate Barcelona's financial strain.
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Football standings
R Team
P Pts
1 Liverpool
7 18
2 Man City
7 17
3 Arsenal
7 17
4 Chelsea
7 14
5 Aston Villa
7 14
6 Brighton
7 12
7 Newcastle
7 12
8 Fulham
7 11
9 Tottenham
7 10
10 Forest
7 10
11 Brentford
7 10
12 West Ham
7 8
13 Bournemouth
7 8
14 Man Utd
7 8
15 Leicester
7 6
16 Everton
7 5
17 Ipswich
7 4
18 Crystal Palace
7 3
19 Southampton
7 1
20 Wolves
7 1
