Ilkay Gündogan closer to Manchester City Reunion

This morning, Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester City has agreed to re-sign former player Ilkay Gundogan (33) from Barcelona on a free transfer and that positive talks have been held between the Premier League club and the German.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has accepted the potential return of FC Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

"Understand Pep Guardiola has already approved Ilkay Gundogan’s return to Manchester City," Romano tweeted on Tuesday morning in Europe. "Pep wants Gundo back as talks are now taking place with his camp, first contact [was] made yesterday. The decision is up to Gundogan, as he has proposals also from Saudi/Qatar; Man City, on it," the Italian added.

Gundogan's Future at Barcelona Uncertain Amidst Transfer Speculation

Gundogan has been linked with moving away from Barcelona since the start of the summer, but talk of a possible exit has gone into overdrive recently. First the veteran was left out of Hansi Flick's Matchday 1 squad to face Valencia. 

However, well-informed source Gerard Romero claimed that the development had taken place because Gundogan was recovering from a blow to the face he received in the second half of Barca's 3-0 loss to AS Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy match.

Others, including RAC1's Marta Ramon, reported that the decision was a means of putting pressure on Gundogan to leave the club, though.

Barcelona is encountering problems navigating Financial Fair Play limits, and getting one of the highest salaries off the payroll, Gundogan's would go a long way towards registering new players such as Dani Olmo.

The Germany National team captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football only a couple of days ago after leading his country at Euro 2024. Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was in the Germany team that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain after extra time. The German Captain is surely heading back to Manchester to reunite with Pep Guardiola.