Manchester City make formal contact with Ilkay Gundogan over Etihad Stadium return | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have now made formal contact with the representatives of Ilkay Gundogan over a possible return to the club this summer.

The approach made by Etihad Stadium officials follows first reports from Spanish media seemingly confirming an agreement reached between Barcelona and the 33-year-old midfielder over an exit this summer.

The La Liga club continue to find themselves in a precarious financial position, and are struggling to register new players with the Spanish top-flight due to wage restrictions, including new blockbuster signing Dani Olmo.

In order for the Catalan club to register their €60 million Spanish international, Ilkay Gundogan has been identified as one player they would be willing to let go in the coming days, with Manchester City keen to not miss the opportunity to bring their former captain back.

And such is the intrigue from the Premier League champions that additional reporting on Monday has confirmed formal contact made by recruitment officials within the Etihad Stadium with the player’s agents.

That is according to the information of transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, who reveals that Manchester City have now made contact with Ilkay Gündogan’s representatives over a potential return of the former Germany international to the Etihad.

It is further detailed that both Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola are open to considering their former captain’s return to the club, having only left for FC Barcelona during the previous summer transfer window on a free agreement.

Sources closer to Manchester City’s operations including MailSport’s Jack Gaughan and the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski have also confirmed the interest from the Premier League champions in Gundogan.

Alongside Manchester City and their recruitment team’s interest in a return to the club for Ilkay Gundogan, it is further understood that Pep Guardiola himself is open to the possibility of bringing the player back into his first-team operation.

Speaking during a recent update on the situation, Fabrizio Romano explained, “I’m hearing Pep Guardiola would be really open to welcoming Gundogan back to Manchester City.

“So Pep is seriously considering this possibility. Now it’s time to talk to Gundogan, his agents more than about money; to understand what Gundogan wants to do,” amid interest from clubs in Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

As for the existing options in the Manchester City squad, Ilkay Gundogan will likely have to compete for a place in the roster or offer capable support to the Rodri – which has been a challenge for Etihad Stadium officials to find in the market thus far in the window.