Ilkay Gundogan will sacrifice a huge sum to re-join Manchester City after ripping up his Barcelona contract.
Manchester City appears set to complete the signing of their former captain, Ilkay Gundogan, from Barcelona in one of the summer’s unexpected transfers. Gundogan left City last summer after his contract expired and turned down their renewal offer. Instead, he joined Barcelona on a two-year deal with an option for a third year, which was activated after he played over 60 percent of Barcelona’s matches last season.
However, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has informed the 33-year-old that he does not fit into his plans for the upcoming season. To manage their budget and register new signing Dani Olmo, Barcelona has decided to let Gundogan leave without a transfer fee, aiming to reduce their wage bill. This move is expected to free up €14 million (£12 million), which Barcelona plans to reinvest in new signings.
Reports indicate that Gundogan and Manchester City have agreed on a one-year contract with an option for a second year. To facilitate this move, Gundogan has waived the remaining two years and €20 million (around £17 million) of his Barcelona contract. While his exact salary at City is not yet clear, it is expected to be less than what he was earning previously, which was around £140,000 per week.
