Ilkay Gundogan Set for Manchester City Return After Barcelona Exit – But There’s a Twist
Ilkay Gundogan is on the verge of making a surprising return to Manchester City, just 14 months after his move to Barcelona. However, the 32-year-old midfielder will have to choose a new shirt number, as his former No. 8 jersey has been claimed by Mateo Kovacic.
Gundogan had a strong season with Barcelona, featuring in 33 La Liga matches and nine Champions League games. Despite his consistent performances, he was recently placed on a 10-man transfer list by the Catalan club, signaling their approval for his departure. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Gundogan’s return to City is now imminent.
The experienced midfielder reportedly held talks with City on Monday and personally contacted Pep Guardiola to expedite the transfer. During his previous seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Gundogan wore the No. 8 shirt and even captained the team in his final season.
However, with Kovacic now donning the No. 8, Gundogan will need to select a different number. He may consider the No. 21, which he has worn for Germany and during his early days at Borussia Dortmund, or the No. 22, which he used at both Dortmund and Barcelona. Other potential options include the No. 4, which became available following Kalvin Phillips’ loan move to Ipswich Town, and the No. 7, which could open up if Joao Cancelo leaves the club.
Currently, the No. 12, 13, 14, and 19 shirts are also available. Gundogan’s first stint at City ended on a high note, as he captained the team to a historic treble, securing the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup titles. During his time at the club, he scored 60 goals and provided 38 assists in 304 appearances, lifting the Premier League trophy five times.
Pep Guardiola has always held Gundogan in high regard, once stating, “He’s so intelligent, Gundo – so clever and competitive. Under pressure, he handles it without a problem. He’s one of the best players I ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He’s top, top class.”
