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Manchester City are reportedly exploring a deal to re-sign midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona, a year after the 33-year-old departed the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer. Gundogan, who captained City to their historic Treble in 2023, left for Barcelona after the club declined to offer the contract length he desired.
Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles have hindered their ability to register new signings, including Dani Olmo. Releasing a high-earner like Gundogan could alleviate these issues, potentially making room for Olmo in the squad. This situation has opened the door for City to consider bringing Gundogan back, especially given their current personnel challenges.
Manchester City are dealing with the departure of Argentine forward Julián Álvarez to Atlético Madrid for £81 million and a four-month injury setback for Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb. Gundogan, with his extensive experience and familiarity with Pep Guardiola’s system, could provide an immediate solution without requiring a settling-in period.
Gundogan initially joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for a reported £20 million. Over seven years at the club, he made 304 appearances, scored 60 goals, and won 14 major trophies, including five Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, and two Community Shields.
Barcelona’s Financial Struggles
Barcelona’s difficulties in registering players stem from La Liga’s strict financial regulations, introduced in 2013 to ensure the sustainability of the competition. Each club has a “squad cost limit,” which restricts player expenditure based on the club’s revenues, after deducting non-sporting expenses and outstanding payments.
Barcelona’s current wage bill reportedly exceeds their squad cost limit, preventing them from registering new players like Dani Olmo. To resolve this, the club may need to sell or release high-earning players, such as Gundogan, to free up space within their spending cap.
