Mercato | FC Barcelona formalizes the arrival of Ilkay Gündogan (ex-Manchester City)

This is one of the first hot shots of the summer transfer window. This Monday morning, FC Barcelona announced the arrival of Ilkay Gündoğan, who was out of contract with Manchester City. “The player will sign two seasons, until June 30, 2025, with an optional additional year. His release clause will amount to 400 million euros.“, said the Catalan club in an official press release.

After seven years at Manchester City, where he won several trophies including a recent Champions League against Inter Milan (1-0) in Istanbul, Gündoğan will therefore have his first experience in La Liga. “In 7 seasons with the Cityzens, he scored 60 goals. He is the 3rd most prolific scorer among midfielders in the English championship over this period (…) His arrival allows the Blaugrana club to build an even more efficient midfield and to be able to count on the strike force of a great talent. His sense of goal and his reading of the game have made him one of the best midfielders in recent years“, recalls Barça, which has been able to get ahead of the competition in this file.

For his part, Pep Guardiola loses one of his key pieces at City, which notably enabled him to achieve the treble (Championship-Cup of England-Champions League) this season. “I hope he will stay with us. If he goes to Barça he would be an extraordinary recruit“, he said last week. Manchester City tried to retain the 32-year-old midfielder, offering him a one-year extension with an optional extra year. But it is ultimately his former club who managed to win the bet.”After seven wonderful seasons, the end has come. You have helped me achieve all my dreams. You will always be in my heart, thank you Manchester City!“, reacted for his part the midfielder on Twitter. The date of his presentation at Camp Nou has not yet been communicated.

Arrived at City in June 2016 from Borussia Dortmund, Gündogan stacked in seven seasons under the jersey of the Citizens five league titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups. He has made 51 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 11 goals including six in the last seven games he has played, a final sprint which has seen City irretrievably get the better of Arsenal. To compensate for a departure, Manchester City has already announced an agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, for an estimated sum of 35 million euros.