Current Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the club and move to Barcelona on a free transfer as his contract expires at the end of this month.
While Manchester City offered Gundogan a new contract, he is believed to have negotiated a more lucrative three-year deal with the Spanish champions.
Gundogan, 32, played a key role in Manchester City’s successful season, earning them an impressive treble. During the 2022–23 campaign, the German midfielder made 51 appearances and scored 11 goals. His impact was particularly evident in the closing weeks of the season, as he scored six goals in the final seven games, including a memorable brace in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
Most notably, Gundogan played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League final, where Manchester City triumphed with a 1–0 win over Inter Milan. This victory, combined with his Premier League and FA Cup triumphs, further cemented Gundogan’s status as a key contributor to the team’s success.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire to keep Gundogan, emphasizing his importance to the squad. Earlier this month, Guardiola mentioned that the club’s director, Tuskeke Bigerstein, was actively working to secure Gundogan’s stay, hoping for a positive outcome.
Since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for a reported fee of £20million, Gundogan has made an indelible impact. With 304 appearances and 60 goals to his name, he has been a key figure in Manchester City’s trophy-laden reign, winning a total of 14 titles, including five Premier League championships, one Champions League trophy, two F.F. A Cup, four Carabao Cups, and two Community Shields.
For the 2022–23 season, Gundogan was given the captain’s armband following the departure of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, further cementing his leadership and importance in the squad. Now, his impending move to Barcelona marks the end of a wonderful chapter with Manchester City and the start of a new chapter in his career with the Spanish giants.
