Ilkay Gundogan has left Manchester City and has now signed a two-year contract with Laliga giants, Barcelona.
Ilkay Gundogan signed a two-year contract with Barcelona that includes a £340m release clause, just weeks after winning the Treble and winning 12 major trophies in seven years at the Etihad, DailyMail reports.
He will join on a two-year deal (with the option of a 12-month extension) after his contract at Man City ended following 12 major trophies in his seven years at the club.
The 32-year-old, who scored 60 goals in 304 games for the Cityzens and played a key role in their treble success last season, has a release clause of £342 million.
He tweeted he was ‘once a blue, always a blue’ after leaving the club, and insisted they had ‘made him realise his dreams’.
Barca won La Liga last season but struggled in Europe as they were knocked out of the Europa League in a last 16 play-off by Manchester United.
Manager Xavi will hope Gundogan’s trophy-winning pedigree can add to a side whose rivals Real Madrid have also strengthened in midfield by signing Jude Bellingham.
The Germany international will be missed at the Etihad after scoring key goals last seen in the FA Cup final and Premier League clinching games late in the season.
After making his name as a solid and well-rounded midfielder with Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan developed into a regular scorer at City and even topped the club’s goal charts in 2020/21.
He had been offered a one year contract extension at City, but opted to join Barca instead after negotiations with Xavi.
His former side tweeted their ‘thanks’ for Gundogan’s ‘hugely successful stay’ at the club and pointed to the ‘unforgettable moments’ he provided.
He will enter a midfield that is not short on talent, the likes of Gavi and Pedri are among the highest rated young midfielders in world football, but after club legend Sergio Busquets left the club for Inter Miami, the German could play an important mentoring role.
The Premier League champions have already taken some precautions against Gundgoan’s exit, with Chelsea and Croatia stat Mateo Kovacic expected to undergo a medical at the club ahead of a £25m move.
He may play in a deeper role, but Declan Rice is another midfielder targeted by City as they look to make it four Premier League titles in a row, with the club currently seeking assurances that the West Ham wants to join them before making a £100m bid.
City are also looking to bring in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol as the £86m-rated defender is seen as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who is expected to leave this summer.