Ilkay Gundogan has made a surprising return to Manchester City after leaving the club for Barcelona a year ago. The former Germany midfielder, now 33 years old, rejoined City on a free transfer for the upcoming season with the option for an additional season. Gundogan was the captain for Manchester City during their successful 2022-23 campaign, where they won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Having been with Manchester City for seven years after joining in 2016 as Pep Guardiola’s first signing, Gundogan became a pivotal player for the team, delivering notable performances and crucial goals. He expressed his excitement about returning to City, highlighting his respect for Guardiola and the world-class teammates he will play alongside.
Despite being a key player for Barcelona last season and Germany at the European Championship, Gundogan’s departure from the Catalan club was influenced by their financial constraints. His return to City comes as a late addition to the transfer window, providing Guardiola with a versatile option in midfield.
As a seasoned player familiar with Guardiola’s tactics, Gundogan is expected to seamlessly integrate into the squad and offer competition in midfield alongside other top players like Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Phil Foden. Guardiola praised Gundogan’s abilities and emphasized that the midfielder’s return is not about retiring but continuing to perform at the highest level.
Gundogan’s move back to City also aims to aid Barcelona in balancing their books and potentially secure new signings like Dani Olmo. With a strong midfield including players like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin López, and the promising Gavi Páez, Barcelona looks to maintain a competitive edge despite Gundogan’s exit.
Having recently retired from international duty with Germany, Gundogan looks forward to making an impact at Manchester City once again. His comeback game could be against Ipswich in the Premier League, where Guardiola trusts in Gundogan’s experience and readiness to contribute.
