Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is reportedly edging closer to finalising a return to Manchester City.
The German, who announced his international retirement on Monday, ended his seven-year association with the Citizens last summer in search of a fresh challenge and decided to join Barcelona on a free transfer, following the expiration of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan scored five goals and provided 14 assists in 51 appearances for Barca across all competitions last season, and he hit the appearance requirements to extend his contract by a further 12 months, keeping him tied to Camp Nou until June 2026.
However, reports have since emerged claiming that the 33-year-old has agreed to leave Barcelona this summer following a conversation with new head coach Hansi Flick, and he wants to make a swift return to Man City.
Barcelona, who are keen to reduce their wage bill and balance their books in order to register new signing Dani Olmo for the 2024-25 season, will not stand in the way of a move for Gundogan, who missed Barca's opening 2-1 win over Valencia in La Liga on Saturday with concussion.
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Gundogan's agent in Manchester to finalise Etihad return
It is understood that Man City are among Premier League clubs interested in signing Gundogan, who is also wanted by teams in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
However, The Athletic reports that the reigning Premier League champions are the frontrunners in the race to sign the experienced midfielder, who is prioritising a return to the Etihad.
Gundogan is said to have personally called up Pep Guardiola at the beginning of this week and the Citizens manager has approved the German's return to the club.
A separate report from Catalonia-based news outlet Que T'hi Jugues states that Gundogan's representative has arrived in Manchester to begin negotiations with Man City over a return, while Barcelona will help facilitate his exit from Camp Nou for free.
Gundogan's decision to return to Man City has been supported by his wife Sara, who admitted earlier this year that she 'misses Manchester now' after 'building a life' and making new friends in the city.
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Gundogan the ideal midifield addition Man City need
If all goes to plan and an agreement is reached between all parties, Gundogan will re-join Man City where he won a total of 14 trophies during a hugely successful seven-year stay at the club.
Gundogan became the first signing of the Guardiola era at Man City back in 2016, and after a few injury-hit campaigns developed into an important first-team figure at the Etihad.
The midfielder scored 60 goals and registered 38 assists in 304 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions, memorably ending the 2020-21 season as the club's top scorer with 17 goals.
Following the departure of Fernandinho, Gundogan was appointed Man City's captain at the start of the 2022-23 campaign and he led he Citizens to a historic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Man City's move for Gundogan comes after they allowed Kalvin Phillips to leave earlier this month and join Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal.
Oliver Thomas
