Ilkay Gundogan is set to return to Manchester City from Barcelona after agreeing to a short-term deal with the Premier League champions.
Gundogan will return to the Etihad Stadium just one year after his departure. According to The Athletic, the 33-year-old will sign a one-year deal with City, with the option of an additional 12 months. The former Germany international will even forgo the remaining two years of his salary he would be owed by Barcelona in order to facilitate the move.
Gundogan made more than 50 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona last season, and was named in the La Liga Team of the Season. But a change in head coach at the Camp Nou has heralded a new vision, and the veteran midfielder was told that he wasn’t part of Hansi Flick’s plans. Gundogan reportedly held talks with Pep Guardiola over his return and the City boss approved the transfer.
Guardiola made Gundogan his first signing as City boss in 2016, and the midfielder went on to make 188 appearances during his first spell with the club. He won the Premier League title five times, the FA Cup twice and the Champions League during a memorable seven years.
The defending Premier League champions have had a quiet summer; Gundogan will join Brazil international Savinho as their only senior signings so far. But their performance in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea showed that this team doesn’t need much to be firmly in the hunt to make it five titles in a row. They take on Ipswich Town at home on Saturday.
