Manchester City frontrunners to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona

Manchester City are frontrunners to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan.

The former Germany international, 33, is prioritising a return to the Premier League champions ahead of other proposals that have been made to him.

Barcelona are expected to ease Gundogan’s departure, who is anticipated to leave the Catalan club for free.

Terms between Gundogan and City are still to be discussed but Pep Guardiola and Gundogan have spoken with the manager giving the green light to the move.

Gundogan is under contract at the Camp Nou until 2026 after he hit the appearance requirements last season to extend his two-year deal by 12 months.

If all goes to plan he is now set for a return to the Etihad Stadium, where he won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League during his seven-year stay in Manchester.

The Athletic reported on Monday that City were interested in a move for the midfielder, who was exploring his options after being told he was not in new Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick’s plans.

Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and went on to make 188 appearances, playing a pivotal role in the club’s unprecedented dominance of English football under Guardiola.

He signed for Barcelona last summer on a free transfer, contributing five goals and nine assists in 36 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.

Due to their financial issues, the club have been forced to lose several players in recent seasons including Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, and most notably Lionel Messi.

Gundogan’s exit would allow Dani Olmo, the €60million arrival from RB Leipzig, to be registered for Barca’s next fixture, against Athletic Club on Saturday.

City are next in action at home to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday.

(Top photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)