İlkay Gündoğan will make his return to the Etihad Stadium. (Image: AFP)
After one season with FC Barcelona, İlkay Gündoğan is set to make his return to his former club Manchester City, reuniting with Pep Guardiola.
After announcing his retirement from international football, the former Germany midfielder, İlkay Gündoğan is set to reunite with his former club Manchester City.
According to a report by The Athletic, the 33-year-old is set to resign with Man City on a one-year deal which can be extended for another 12 months. To make the move, Gundogan has also agreed to forego the remaining two years of his salary which he would be owed by FC Barcelona.
The former German international was Pep Guardiola’s first signing after taking over as the manager of Manchester City. In his seven years with the Cityzens, he has gone on to make 188 appearances for the club. Last season he decided to exit after winning the Champions League in the 2022-23 season.
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In his only season with FC Barcelona, he made 51 appearances scoring five goals and racking up 14 assists. He was also included in the La Liga Team of the Season as well.
But following Xavi’s departure the midfielder seems to not be in the plans of the new manager, Hansi Flick. He was not included in the Barcelona squad for the opening game of the season against Villareal.
Manchester City might be in dire need of some leadership within the midfield, after their star midfielder, Rodri missed out on the season-opener due to injury. Rodri had been substituted in Spain’s Euro 2024 final against England and has not been part of the pre-season training, indicating that he might have to build up his fitness.
Meanwhile, Gundogan has been a leader within the City locker room, having donned the captain’s armband on various instances, his leadership through the middle could help the side work around Rodri’s absence until he returns.
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Another interesting point to note is that the #8 that Gundogan had worn during his first spell, is now worn by Mateo Kovacic. It will be interesting to see what his new shirt number is going to be.
City have begun their season on a positive. After winning the FA Community Shield in a penalty-shootout victory over rivals, Manchester United, the club has also started their domestic season on a high after beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Guardiola’s side will be firm favourites in their next fixture as well as they face Ipswich Town, for their first home game of the season.
