2024-08-18 23:05:01
Ilkay Gundogan contacted Manchester City a few days ago to sound out a potential, sensational return … [+]
Ilkay Gundogan contacted Manchester City a few days ago to sound out a potential, sensational return to his former club from FC Barcelona in the current transfer window according to Catalunya Radio’s ‘La TdT’ program, which cited anonymous sources.
With around an hour and a half to spare until kick off in Barca’s La Liga 2024/2025 season opener versus Valencia, SPORT reported that Gundogan had essentially handed in a transfer request and asked to the leave the Catalans this summer.
The German was a surprise omission from the Matchday 1 squad list for the trip to Mestalla, which was released at midday in Catalonia on Saturday afternoon.
Gerard Romero revealed how the veteran had been ruled out of facing Valencia thanks to a blow to the eyebrow he received in Monday’s 3-0 loss to AS Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy match.
Elsewhere, however, RAC1‘s Marta Ramon tweeted that Gundogan had been pushed out of head coach Hansi Flick’s plans as a ploy to put pressure on him to leave.
Barca is currently facing problems navigating Financial Fair Play limits, which affects being able to make new signings and registering new or existing players.
As he is one of the highest earners of the first team squad, getting Gundogan’s salary off the pay roll would be a relief for President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco.
Marta Ramon’s claims were given credence when the SPORT story broke approaching kick off, in a match which eventually proved to be a 2-1 win for the Blaugrana.
Gundogan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate his teammates for a heroic comeback after they initially trailed the hosts.
“Crucial victory in our season opener – good job! Vamos equipo (let’s go, team),” he wrote, which was seen as a positive sign of Gundogan in truth wanting to stay.
Furthermore, Flick also told local broadcasters in Spain that he believed ‘Gundo’, who he once made captain of the German national team, will continue in Catalonia.
“I spoke with him to know how he feels ahead of the season,” Flick said. “I know him very well. I appreciate the player and the person he is. We spoke about everything, but it will stay between us, it’s not for you to know. I have a feeling he will stay.”
While that might prove an accurate prediction, it could still be true that Gundogan contacted City a few days ago “to sound out the possibility of returning to the club” according to La TdT, which cited anonymous Barca sources.
The program added that Pep Guardiola’s men would be open to a sensational second stint at the Etihad for the 33-year-old, to the side he played for between 2016 and 2023.
It now remains to be seen what happens with Gundogan’s case over the next fortnight or so, before the window closes until January.
