The courted German international, who won the Champions League with Manchester City less than two weeks ago, is joining FC Barcelona.
Manchester City have apparently lost the battle for their captain İlkay Gündoğan, 32. As the well-informed Catalan sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reported on Wednesday evening, the German international signed a two-season contract with Spanish champions FC Barcelona in Munich on Wednesday. The contract is automatically extended by one season if Gündoğan should play at least half of all competitive games in his second Barcelona season.
The former Dortmund and Nuremberg professional is moving on a free transfer as his contract with City expires on June 30. An official confirmation for the transfer to Barcelona was still pending in the evening – however, sports director Mateu Alemany went to Munich on Wednesday. Gündoğan is said to have undergone the obligatory sports medical examination there.
Gündoğan is considered the player of choice for Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández. The former world-class player is said to have played the crucial role in the transfer. Gündoğan rejected offers from Saudi Arabia and Arsenal FC. Only on Monday had City coach Pep Guardiola expressed his hope of being able to convince Gündoğan – who won the City Champions League less than two weeks ago and received the trophy as captain – of being able to extend his contract.