What was still just a rumor a few weeks ago has come true in the last few hours. Just one year after his arrival in Spain, Ilkay Gundogan has left FC Barcelona to return to Manchester City. Barça agreed to release him from his contract to save money on one of the club’s biggest salaries. And this was supposed to allow them to register new recruits in La Liga and especially Dani Olmo who still cannot play in the Barcelona jersey. But this departure was surprising, especially when you know how important Gundogan was in midfield last season. The German international was also hoping to have a better adventure in Catalonia.
“After only one year, it is already time to say goodbye. I came here to take on an exciting new challenge, and I was ready to do it. I gave my all to fight for the team and the club in the best possible way in a difficult season and I was looking forward to helping my teammates for this new season. Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a little less sad.”explained the 34-year-old midfielder on Thursday. At a press conference, Hansi Flick also gave his version of this surprise departure. “After the game against Valencia, I already said that we had a conversation and I thought he was going to help us, that he was going to stay. But he changed his mind this week. It happens.” As a result, a few days before the end of the transfer window, Barça finds itself even more weakened in midfield and that is cause for concern.
Hansi Flick wants Goretzka back
On the first day of La Liga, with the absence of De Jong, Gavi and the return from injury of Pedri, Hansi Flick had to rely on Marc Casado and Marc Bernal in midfield, two youngsters from La Masia. And if that was enough against Valencia, it is not certain that this option will last the whole season. According to the information from ASthe German coach has asked his management to replace Gundogan. And he wants to get Leon Goretzka back from Bayern Munich. The 29-year-old German midfielder is clearly being pushed out during this transfer window and is no longer part of Vincent Kompany’s plans.
With the big competition in midfield at Bayern Munich, Leon Goretzka has been left out of the squad. And even if he wants to stay in Germany, the Bavarian club has made it clear to him that he is on his way out. Under contract until 2026, he is estimated at less than 30 million euros. An indisputable element of Hansi Flick’s system during his time at Bayern, Goretzka had won everything with the German coach. The Spanish media outlet specifies that the two men would very much like to work together again. But for that to happen, Goretzka will have to be less greedy for salary since he is around 15 million per year at Bayern Munich. It remains to be seen whether he will accept a pay cut in exchange for playing time…
