Manchester City has officially confirmed the return of Ilkay Gundogan, marking his comeback after just one season at Barcelona. The Ilkay Gundogan return sees the German midfielder rejoin Pep Guardiola’s squad on a free transfer. He had left the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2023, seeking new challenges in Spain. However, he did not find the ambitious environment he was accustomed to in England. Faced with a reduction in both playing time and salary at Barcelona, Gundogan and the club’s board agreed on a mutual exit.
The Ilkay Gundogan return to Manchester City comes after he spent seven successful seasons with the club, the longest stint of his career. Despite being under contract with Barcelona until June 30, 2025, Gundogan chose to leave after Hansi Flick indicated that his starting role would be uncertain. Recognizing that his salary was a burden on Barcelona’s budget planning, Gundogan quickly arranged his departure with his agent.
Gundogan also struggled to adapt to the atmosphere at Barcelona, which did not align with his mentality. He had publicly criticized his teammates, citing a lack of ambition and self-criticism. These factors further fueled the decision for the Ilkay Gundogan return to Manchester City.
On the field, it’s surprising that a player of Gundogan’s caliber found himself sidelined at Barcelona. Last season, he logged significant minutes and made the same number of appearances as he had in his final season with Manchester City. Xavi Hernandez initially viewed him as a key component of Barcelona’s midfield. However, the club has since turned to younger alternatives to fill that role.
The Ilkay Gundogan return to Manchester City will be met with open arms by Pep Guardiola. During his previous tenure at the club, Gundogan won numerous titles, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, two Community Shields, and the 2023 Champions League. In contrast, his time at Barcelona yielded only one trophy, the 2023 Joan Gamper, although he did achieve a personal best with 14 assists.
