Manchester City want to sign Barcelona veteran only on a free transfer – report | OneFootball

Following the rapid developments over the past 24 hours or so, it seems certain now that Ilkay Gundogan will leave FC Barcelona in the current transfer window.

Just a year after he was signed as a free agent after his contract expired at Manchester City, Barcelona are set to part ways with the veteran midfielder due to their salary cap and player registration problems.

Gundogan, who has always been insistent that he wanted to stay at Barça, has accepted the decision of the club and is ready to move on.

Move back to Manchester City for Gundogan?

As was reported last night, Gundogan’s former club, Manchester City, have shown an interest in re-signing the midfielder and have even made contact with his camp about a move.

Building on that, La Vanguardia reports that the Premier League champions, while being interested in Gundogan, will only sign him if he is available for a free transfer, i.e., they do not intend to pay any fees to bring him back to the Etihad.

Having lost him last year for free, Manchester City will consider re-signing him only on similar conditions.

Barcelona, for their part, might not be opposed to letting Gundogan leave for free. The Catalans’ main aim is to get rid of his massive salary, which would be around €20 million gross for the upcoming season.

There were talks of a possible swap involving the midfielder and Joao Cancelo, but no such deal will be made either.

Guardiola has already approved transfer

Will Gundogan reunite with his former manager, Pep Guardiola?

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already given his approval for the club to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan.

It is no secret that the legendary tactician was unhappy to part ways with the midfielder last summer and as such is ready to welcome him back with open arms.

As such, contacts are now taking place between Manchester City and the German midfielder’s camp after an initial approach was made on Monday.

Now, it all depends on Gundogan and whether he opts to return to the Etihad or choose a new challenge with clubs from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar also keen.

If he does choose a return to Manchester City, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona allow him to leave for free or hold out for a transfer fee.