- The midfielder moved to the Catalan side after seven great seasons at the Etihad
- He has now been sidelined and is thought to want a move back to Manchester
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Ilkay Gundogan could be set to sensationally reignite his career at Manchester City after the German midfielder revealed he ‘wants an immediate return’ to the Etihad.
The Barcelona man has been frozen out at Barcelona after making the move there last summer following a glittering last season with Pep Guardiola‘s men which saw him win a historic treble.
He only signed a deal lasting two years when he ended his seven-year stay at the Etihad, however, and is now into the final year of his contract.
According to Spanish publication Sport, the German international has reportedly informed the club he wants to move on from the LaLiga heavyweights after being left out of the side for their 2-1 win over Valencia.
And his preferred destination could be a snappy return to Manchester after failing to kick on following his departure from the club.
Ilkay Gundogan could be set to sensationally reignite his career at Manchester City
Indeed, Pep Guardiola is reportedly ‘open’ to reuniting with his former stalwart
Gundogan spent seven seasons with City and won a whopping 14 trophies
Indeed, Guardiola is reportedly ‘open’ to reuniting with his former stalwart, the Sun reports, as the Spaniard hunts for reinforcements after a long-term injury to forward Oscar Bobb.
The 33-year-old has endured a tough spell at the Spanish giants, scoring just five goals in 51 appearances and undergoing his first trophy-less season in seven years.
Barcelona have brought in Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig in the same position as the ex-City man but manager and compatriot Hansi Flick said he expects Gundogan to stay in LaLiga.
‘I think he’s gonna end up staying at Barca,’ he said.
‘He was out tonight as he had some discomfort.
‘I spoke to Ilkay, but that stays between us as it’s private conversation.’
The report from Sport claims the midfielder told the coaching staff that he has had ‘enough’ and is hoping all parties can help him find an exit from the club.
As to where the 33-year-old may land next, the report claims he has several admirers in Turkey as well as in Saudi Arabia.
The German international only signed a two-year deal with the Spanish heavyweights
One man who appears intent on signing Gundogan is Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho
Barcelona have brought in Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig in the same position
One man who appears intent on signing Gundogan is Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.
The 61-year-old took up the post at Fenerbahce in June and has already been active in the transfer market, with Caglar Soyuncu, Cenk Tosun and Youssef En-Nesyri all moving on permanent deals while he snapped up Allan Saint-Maximin on loan from Al-Ahli.
The report says Mourinho is prepared to go to extreme lengths to land Gundogan, such is his desire to bring him to Fenerbahce.