Sensational Step Ilkay Gundogan, Leave Barcelona And Return To Man City

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will leave Barcelona and return to Manchester City. (X/@FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will leave Barcelona. Gundogan took a sensational step by returning to the old club, Manchester City.

Gundogan only lasted one year at Barca. Last year, he left Man City to join Barca for free.

This elite La Liga club does not need to spend a penny because Gundogan's contract has ended at Man City. The German national team midfielder also left after bringing the Cityzens to trebles as well as winning the Champions League trophy for the first time.

Gundogan finally left after seven years of defending Man City. He, in total, won 14 trophies including winning the English Premier League five times and winning the FA Cup twice and Carabao Cup. Furthermore, the 33-year-old also won the Champions League and twice lifted the Community Shield trophy.

When moving to Barca, Gundogan got a two-year contract. Only, he didn't shine enough and Barca failed to win the trophy while with Gundogan.

After Barca was no longer handled by Xavi Hernandez and replaced by Hansi Flick, he was not included in the team plan. In La Liga's first match against Valencia, Gundogan was not in the squad. Without him, Barca won 2-1.

The absence of Gundogan in the Barca squad immediately led to speculation that the player would leave. The rumors were not limited to issues but Gundogan would indeed leave Los Cules.

A number of Turkish and Saudi Arabian clubs are indeed interested in bringing him. Even the Pro Arab League club Al Nasser showed the seriousness of bringing Gundogan to unite with Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte and Sadio Mane.

However, he will return to the old club, Man City. Yes, Man City manager Pep Guardiola has given a signal to accept Gundogan returning to Etihad. Gundogan is expected to increase the team's strength after Julan Alvarez's departure to Atletico Madrid.

When rejoined, at least Gundogan will return hand in hand with midfielder Rodri in midfield of the team. According to journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barca has no objection and will release Gundogan for free.

"It is understandable that 100% Barcelona will release Ilkay Gundogan for free," Romano said in X's upload.

"Manchester City is finalizing an agreement with Gundogan's agent who is currently in England. As previously stated, Pep Guardiola has said, 'YES.'," Romano was quoted as saying by Mail Online.

Barca itself will not maintain Gundogan due to economic factors and the team's tactical needs. Because Gundogan is one of the highest-paid players at the club. He receives 20 million euros annually and that figure is five percent of the total salary for players.

If you release the player, Barca saves at least 14 million euros. The club can also invest 70 percent of the savings funds to buy players.

In addition, Barca can register new player Dani Olmo. Currently, Olmo, who was recruited from RB Leipzig, cannot be registered because he will cross the club's spending threshold. Barca must release players to give space to Olmo. Gundogan was also sacrificed to register Olmo.