Manchester City is on the brink of finalizing a deal to bring back midfielder Ilkay Gündogan to the Etihad Stadium, according to a source familiar with the situation. Gündogan, who spent seven successful seasons with City before moving to Barcelona last summer, is set to depart from the Spanish club after just one year.
City has moved swiftly to secure Gündogan’s return, with the official announcement expected to be made before the upcoming weekend. The midfielder is scheduled to travel to Manchester on Wednesday and could potentially make his second debut for the club in the match against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Gündogan, who had two years remaining on his contract with Barcelona, is poised to sign a one-year deal with City, with the option of another year. Despite initial interest from Saudi Arabia, particularly Al Nassr, the 33-year-old has opted to rejoin City after discussions with head coach Pep Guardiola. The decision to return to Manchester was influenced by the close personal relationship Gündogan shares with Guardiola, as the two have previously lived in the same building in the city.
During his first spell with City from 2016 to 2023, Gündogan made over 300 appearances and secured 12 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League victory. Despite completing 51 appearances across all competitions last season, the midfielder was granted permission to leave the club in order to alleviate financial constraints following the signing of attacking midfielder Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.
Manchester City’s imminent re-signing of Ilkay Gündogan signifies a significant moment for both the club and the player. The reunion between Gündogan and City is expected to bolster the squad’s midfield capabilities and strengthen their pursuit of further silverware in the upcoming season. The return of the experienced midfielder showcases City’s commitment to building a competitive team under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.