Barcelona star wants to join Manchester City this summer - Reports
Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan reportedly wants to return to Manchester City this summer. The German had moved to the Camp Nou last summer.
In his debut season with Barca, the 33-year-old contributed five goals and 14 assists in 53 games across competitions. All five goals and nine of the assists came in 36 outings in La Liga, where Xavi's side finished second, behind arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The Blaugrana also lost to Los Blancos in the Supercopa Espana final and in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey. With his current deal expiring next summer, Gundogan, though, want to return to familiar surroundings at the Etihad, as reported by TV3 (via City Chief).
The report says that the two parties have discussed a potential reunion, with City seemingly not averse to the return of their former captain.
SPORT (via Yahoo) blames behind-the-scenes 'tensions' at the Camp Nou for Gundogan contemplating his future at the club. The report says that the player has expressed his desire to leave to new boss Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.
Interestingly, Gundogan wasn't in the squad for Barcelona's 2-1 La Liga opener at Valencia (August 17) due to a head injury suffered during the Joan Gamper Trophy loss to Monaco earlier this month.
The German enjoyed a hugely successful seven-season stint at the Etihad. In 304 games across competitions, Gundogan registered 60 goals and 38 assists, winning the 2022-23 continental treble and five Premier League titles, including three on the trot.
What's next for Barcelona and Manchester City?
Barcelona have commenced their 2024-25 La Liga season with a 2-1 win at Valencia on Saturday. After Hugo Duro had opened the scoring for the hosts at the Mestalla on the cusp of half-time, Robert Lewandowski levelled proceedings in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
The former Bayern Munich hitman put his team into the lead four minutes into the second period from the spot as Hansi Flick commenced his stint at Barca with a win.
Next up, the Blaugrana host Athletic Club on August 24. Barca won this clash 1-0 at home in October, with Marc Guiu bagging the winner 10 minutes from time. In the return at San Mames in March, the two teams drew goalless.
Meanwhile, Manchester City - coming off an FA Community Shield win on penalties to Manchester United - kickstart their bid for a record-extending fifth straight Premier League title at Chelsea on Sunday (August 18).