Manchester City interested in move for Ilkay Gundogan as midfielder’s Barcelona future in doubt

By premiernews On Aug 19, 2024

Manchester City are interested in a move for former midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The Athletic reported earlier today that Gundogan was exploring his options at Barcelona, with interest in the 33-year-old from clubs in the Premier League, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Gundogan is under contract at Barcelona until 2026 after he hit the appearance requirements last season to extend his two-year deal by 12 months.

The German left City for Barcelona last summer after his contract at the Etihad Stadium expired.

Gundogan’s potential departure comes as Barcelona’s precarious financial position looms over the start of their new season.

Over the last few years, the Spanish club have been crippled with debts of more than €1billion ($1bn; £859m) and financing a €1.5bn redevelopment of the Camp Nou despite still feeling the need to spend to compete for the biggest trophies.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s creative financial policies, including the ‘levers’ of summer 2022 — when Barca sold off chunks of future revenue to companies in exchange for instant income — have succeeded in staving off the serious consequences of that historic debt.

Due to their financial issues, the club have been forced to lose several players in recent seasons such as Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, and most notably Lionel Messi.

Barcelona have been looking to raise money and ease pressure on their wage bill by selling players including former youth-team players Chadi Riad, Marc Guiu, and Estanis Pedrola.

The club would ideally like to move on higher earners like Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Gundogan.