Manchester City and the representatives of Ilkay Gundogan are in contact regarding a possible summer reunion amid uncertainties surrounding his Barcelona future.
According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ilkay Gundogan is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League champions are open to re-signing the Barcelona midfielder amid uncertainties surrounding his long-term future at the Catalan club. So, they have established contact with the 33-year-old’s representatives regarding a summer move.
Fabrizio Romano has added that clubs in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other countries are also keen on signing Gundogan from Barcelona. However, Pep Guardiola is open to bringing the former Manchester City captain back to the Etihad. Meanwhile, a report by SPORT has suggested the veteran midfielder is a target for Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Ilkay Gundogan at Barcelona: The story so far
Ilkay Gundogan has been a solid performer for Barcelona since completing a Bosman move in 2023 after his contract with Manchester City expired. The experienced midfielder was eager to embark on a new adventure before the twilight of his glittering career. The 33-year-old took no time to hit the ground running at the club and was one of the best players for Barcelona last season.
The German midfielder contributed to 19 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions by finding the back of the net five times and providing 14 assists. However, despite Gundogan’s excellent performances, he faces an uncertain future at FC Barcelona due to his high salary, as the Catalan giants struggle to register Dani Olmo. So, a summer departure is possible, with the veteran midfielder mulling over rejoining Barcelona.
Manchester City return on the cards?
The latest update has revealed that Ilkay Gundogan has become a target for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola pondering over a reunion before the summer transfer window shuts down. The Premier League champions have already contacted the player’s representatives regarding a possible summer move.
Manchester City felt the absence of Gundogan in the 2023/24 season due to the veteran midfielder’s tendency to arrive late into the box to score handy goals. So, they were overly dependent on Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in the final third. With Alvarez joining Atletico Madrid, re-signing Gundogan might be a step in the right direction.
The 33-year-old was initially not entertaining the idea of leaving Barcelona. However, Gundogan is now open to departing the club to help them balance their books. Meanwhile, interest from Galatasaray and Middle Eastern clubs should not faze Manchester City, considering the history between the two parties and his importance to the squad.
