Manchester City frontrunners to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona

Manchester Metropolis are frontrunners to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan.

The previous Germany worldwide, 33, is prioritising a return to the Premier League champions forward of different proposals which have been made to him.

Barcelona are anticipated to ease Gundogan’s departure, who’s anticipated to go away the Catalan membership without spending a dime.

Phrases between Gundogan and Metropolis are nonetheless to be mentioned however Pep Guardiola and Gundogan have spoken with the supervisor giving the inexperienced mild to the transfer.

Gundogan is underneath contract on the Camp Nou till 2026 after he hit the looks necessities final season to increase his two-year deal by 12 months.

If all goes to plan he’s now set for a return to the Etihad Stadium, the place he received 5 Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League throughout his seven-year keep in Manchester.

The Athletic reported on Monday that Metropolis have been involved in a transfer for the midfielder, who was exploring his choices after being instructed he was not in new Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick’s plans.

Gundogan joined Metropolis from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and went on to make 188 appearances, taking part in a pivotal position within the membership’s unprecedented dominance of English soccer underneath Guardiola.

He signed for Barcelona final summer time on a free switch, contributing 5 targets and 9 assists in 36 appearances through the 2023-24 marketing campaign.

Attributable to their monetary points, the membership have been compelled to lose a number of gamers in latest seasons together with Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, and most notably Lionel Messi.

Gundogan’s exit would permit Dani Olmo, the €60million arrival from RB Leipzig, to be registered for Barca’s subsequent fixture, in opposition to Athletic Membership on Saturday.

Metropolis are subsequent in motion at house to newly-promoted Ipswich City on Saturday.

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(Prime photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Photographs)