Manchester City emerge as frontrunners in Ilkay Gundogan pursuit – Player’s agent now in Manchester | OneFootball

Manchester City have now emerged as the frontrunners to sign Ilkay Gundogan from FC Barcelona this summer, with the player’s agent now in Manchester to thrash out a deal.

The situation involving the Etihad Stadium’s former club captain has moved quickly over the last 48 hours, with first information surrounding the possibility of an exit from Barcelona emerging over the course of the weekend.

Following a conversation and verbal agreement between Gundogan and club officials in Barcelona, the player agreed to leave the club in order to free up his salary and enable them to register other players for the La Liga season, including €60 million Dani Olmo.

That sparked a frenzy of transfer interest in a player that recently impressed during the European Championships with Germany, with clubs from across Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia showing concrete admiration in securing his signature.

But all signs are now pointing towards an emotional reunion with Manchester City this summer, who have moved fast in order to bring their legendary former captain to the Etihad Stadium for another season and potentially beyond.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Pol Ballus, Manchester City are now the frontrunners to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan from FC Barcelona this summer, with the midfielder prioritising a return to the Premier League champions ahead of other proposals.

It is further detailed that Barcelona are expected to ‘ease’ Gundogan’s departure from the La Liga club, and the player is anticipated to leave for free – the same route in which he entered the side from Manchester City in 2023.

At present, it is pointed out that terms between Ilkay Gundogan and Manchester City are still to be discussed, but manager Pep Guardiola and the 33-year-old have spoken with the Etihad Stadium head coach giving the green light to the move.

Additional reporting from Què T’hi Jugues’ Adrià Soldevila has further highlighted that the German’s representative is now in Manchester to negotiate the midfielder’s return, whilst Barcelona will facilitate the player’s exit and City will not pay anything.

Gundogan has already hinted at a desire to return to the Etihad Stadium in order to give the Manchester City fans a ‘proper farewell’, however not many could have imagined that such a goodbye to the club could come in the form of a second spell in sky blue.

Speaking earlier this year with Manchester City’s official club website, Ilkay Gundogan said, “This is my plan,” when asked whether he would be interested in returning to the Etihad Stadium one day to say ‘farewell’ in person to the club’s support.

Gundogan continued prior to Manchester City’s FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United, “I hope so. If not on the pitch next season, I will hopefully certainly find another opportunity. The Club, this team and the City fans will always be worth a visit!”