Has the perfect player to cover for Rodri just fallen into Manchester City’s lap? | OneFootball

It is well known that Manchester City are in the market for another midfielder this summer. The champions need a player who can come and provide cover and support for Rodri. Finding a player who would be happy to be a squad player for the world champions has proven difficult for City this summer. But has the ideal player to fulfil the role potentially just fallen into Manchester City’s lap? That could be the case based on recent reports regarding the future of former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan.

David Ornstein has reported for the Athletic that Ilkay Gundogan is exploring the possibility of leaving Barcelona this summer. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that there is interest in Gundogan from Premier League clubs as well as clubs from Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed on X that Ilkay Gundogan can leave Barcelona this summer. Romano further reports that Ilkay Gundogan’s camp is currently exploring their options.

The ideal player to cover for Rodri has fallen into Manchester City’s lap but will they bring Gundogan home?

Manchester City have spent all summer searching for a player to provide cover for Rodri. So far they haven’t had any luck in their hunt for such a player. It is no easy task to find a player who would immediately fit into Pep Guardiola’s system and would also be comfortable being a squad player at the club. That search may be over given the new reports over the future of Ilkay Gundogan. Manchester City will surely explore the possibility. It seems to be a no-brainer.

Ilkay Gundogan is a club legend at Manchester City. He will go down in the club’s history as one of their finest players. All of that is well known. But as a player, Gundogan is still playing at a high level. The German international showed that last season at Barcelona. He was also a crucial contributor to Germany’s Euro 24 campaign. While he is getting on in age he is still an elite midfielder.

As a player, Ilkay Gundogan would immediately slot back into Pep Guardiola’s squad. There would be no settling-in period necessary for the former club captain. Gundogan is well aware of what Pep Guardiola demands and has done it all before. The midfielder could also fulfil another role for the champions. With Julian Alvarez having departed the champions City need another attacking option. Gundogan can open up that option for Pep Guardiola. He’s previously played as a false 9 for City and his possible addition to the world champions would open up a plethora of options for the City manager. It seems an obvious move for Manchester City to make in the final weeks of this summer’s transfer window.

The ideal player to cover for Rodri may have just fallen into Manchester City’s lap. Surely the champions will at least explore the option.

You can hear the thoughts of Esteemed Kompany host Steven Mcinerney on a potential Manchester City move for Ilkay Gundogan in the video below. He outlines the case for Manchester City bringing their former captain home in the video below.