It looks like Manchester City fans have something to get excited about—Ilkay Gundogan might be coming back. According to reports from The Athletic and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the former City midfielder has struck a deal to return to the Etihad after just a short stint with FC Barcelona.
Gundogan originally left Manchester City about 14 months ago, following an incredible season where he led the team as captain to win a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions League title. His departure for Barcelona was seen as a dream move for him, despite City offering him a more lucrative contract to stay.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly as Gundogan might have hoped in Spain. With key players like Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong sidelined by injuries, Gundogan stepped up and became one of Barca’s most reliable performers during a challenging, trophyless season. Despite this, the club has been through some turmoil, including a change in management with Hansi Flick taking over from Xavi Hernandez. Flick, who once named Gundogan as the captain of the German national team, seemed set to keep the 33-year-old at the core of Barca’s midfield.
But rumors started swirling when Gundogan was unexpectedly left out of Barca’s squad for their opening match against Valencia. He even took to Twitter to congratulate his teammates on their dramatic comeback, while Flick insisted on Spanish TV that he believed Gundogan would stay. However, rumors from outlets like Cadena SER and Radio Catalunya suggested something else: a possible comeback to Manchester City.
And then, Romano dropped the news: Pep Guardiola is on board with bringing Gundogan back. Less than a day later, both Romano and The Athletic confirmed that a full agreement had been reached between City and Gundogan. To make this move happen, Gundogan’s two-year contract with Barca will be terminated, allowing him to sign a one-year deal with City, with the option to extend for another year.
This return will likely be celebrated by City fans and staff alike, as Gundogan was a key figure in their recent successes. Meanwhile, over in Barcelona, some fans are left scratching their heads, wondering how the club could let one of their standout players walk away for free, even though they didn’t pay anything for him in the first place.
