Manchester City Captain Ilkay Gundogan To Leave Club For Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan is leaving Manchester City for Barcelona, ​​confirms Fabrizio Romano. The 32-year-old, who signed Pep Guardiola’s first player at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, is set to leave the club at the end of the month when his contract expires.

Gundogan captained Manchester City this season as the Sky Blues won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in a historic campaign.

The German midfielder scored twice in the FA Cup final at Wembley and twice against Manchester United, including a superb shot in the first 12 seconds.

Gundogan also scored a famous goal, scoring a dramatic double against Aston Villa last year to help Manchester City win the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has agreed a deal with Barcelona, ​​signing his first two-year contract with the Catalan club, but Manchester City want the midfielder to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Gundogan’s contract includes a one-year option and the midfielder also has a release clause worth €500 million.

Despite interest from Arsenal and former club Borussia Dortmund for the City captain, the 32-year-old became the youngest player to sign for the La Liga champions and join East Manchester for Catalonia. became a city player.

Over the course of seven years, Gundogan won 14 trophies with Manchester City, including five Premier League titles.

The 32-year-old has scored 60 goals in 304 appearances under Pep Guardiola.

Reports last month suggested Gundogan could sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, with talk of City offering the midfielder an improved deal to avoid competition with Barcelona. there were.

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero moved from the Blues to Barcelona in 2021, and in recent years Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia have also joined the Camp Nou.

Manchester City have yet to announce the departure of Gundogan, who was on the club’s release list last week.