Manchester City and Ilkay Gundogan have reached a full agreement for the German to re-sign for the Premier League side.
Gundogan, 33, will sign a one-year contract with City, with the option of a further 12 months. He will leave Barcelona on a free transfer, just a year after joining them following the expiration of his City contract in June 2023.
In order to facilitate the move, Gundogan is forgoing the remaining two years of salary he would be owed by Barcelona. The third year of his contract was triggered last season when he featured in more than 60 per cent of their games.
Gundogan joined Barcelona last summer, going on to play 36 times in his first season, but was told he was not part of new head coach Hansi Flick’s plans after the German replaced Xavi earlier this summer. The Athletic reported on Tuesday that City were the frontrunners to secure Gundogan’s return, with the midfielder having spoken with Pep Guardiola over a possible return to Manchester and the manager giving the green light to the move.
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Gundogan previously made 188 appearances in his first spell at City, winning the Premier League title five times, two FA Cups and the Champions League once.
City have had a quiet summer with Brazil international Savinho the only senior signing with Julian Alvarez departing for Atletico Madrid.
They beat Chelsea in their opening game of the Premier League season and next face newcomers Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Gundogan announced his retirement from international football with Germany earlier this week, having captained them at the European Championship on home soil earlier this summer.
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