OFFICIAL: Ilkay Gündogan leaves FC Barcelona to return to Manchester City

The short history between Ilkay Gündogan and FC Barcelona has come to a surprising end. After a long summer of comings and goings in which he was linked to several rumors about his departure from Barcelona, ​​the German has finally decided to change his scene and has made his return to Manchester City official at zero cost, with a contract that It will link him to the 'skyblue' squad for one season plus another optional.

Although Hansi Flick had hoped to continue counting on his services next season, the German midfielder made the decision to pack his bags for a new destination after having a conversation with Pep Guardiola. The talk with Sampedor ended up leading to his departure from Barcelona, ​​since the footballer considered that the best thing for his career was to return to the command of a coach with whom he won all possible titles at club level.

In this way, 'Gündo' puts an end to his brief stay at the Spotify Camp Nou. The German landed in the summer of 2023 in the Barça team as a free agent, being the star reinforcement of that transfer market after having achieved the treble wearing the light blue shirt. Under the command of Xavi Hernández, the midfielder was the player with the most games played (51) and the most minutes accumulated (4,180) in the culé squad, registering 5 goals and 14 assists.

However, his influence on the team went beyond statistics. Ilkay established himself as one of the great leaders of the Catalan team on and off the playing fields, since thanks to his hierarchy, experience and winning gene, he increased the demand within a locker room with young talents such as Lamine Yamal, Fermín López and Pau Cubarsí, who were able to 'harden' themselves under the tutelage of one of the best in the world.

Barça gains salary margin

Gündogan's departure, although painful from a sporting perspective, represents an economic 'relief' for the club, which is getting rid of one of the highest players in the squad. With the salary margin freed up by the German, the Blaugranas will be able to assume the registration of Dani Olmo, and even the arrival of a 'low cost' reinforcement for the left winger. Precisely, the Egarense was one of the 'culprits' of the German's departure, since his signing for Barça aimed to considerably reduce the minutes of the now City player by sharing a position on the pitch.

Gündogan returns 'home'

Thus, Ilkay Gündogan returns to the Etihad Stadium after a year in LaLiga EA Sports. The player left Manchester with the freedom card under his arm and returns in the same way. In his first stage as 'cityzen', the German scored 60 goals and distributed 38 assists in the 304 games played during the seven seasons in the Mancunian team, where he won all possible titles and was the captain of the team that won the first Champions League. League in the history of the institution. Now, he will look to repeat all these successes in his second stint as 'skyblue', where he aims to play a key role for Guardiola.