Ilkay Gündogan, the influential midfielder and captain of Manchester City’s treble-winning side, plans to join Barcelona on a free transfer, effectively dashing City’s hopes of keeping him.
The 32-year-old German has agreed to a two-year contract with Barcelona, with an option for an additional year. Ilkay Gündogan current contract with City is due to expire at the end of this month.
City acknowledges that Gündogan has reached an agreement with Barcelona and supports his decision. While they offered him a new one-year contract with a potential extension of 12 months, Gündogan’s salary demands, coupled with Barcelona’s three-year offer, have led City to be comfortable with his departure, considering their midfield options.
The club has a history of allowing players over 30 to leave when the time is right, including Yaya Touré, Sergio Agüero, Fernandinho, and Pablo Zabaleta.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, expressed his desire for Gündogan to stay, stating that they are still fighting to keep him and that the player is someone they want to retain.
However, he acknowledged Barcelona’s interest and described Gündogan as a spectacular footballer, noting that Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, has been in contact with him.
While City boasts depth in all areas, they may also face the potential departure of Bernardo Silva during the summer transfer window. Silva, whose contract runs until 2025, has reportedly attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League, with links to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Guardiola and the club are eager to keep Silva in Manchester.