Ilkay Gundogan: Barcelona agree deal to sign Man City midfielder on free transfer
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City on a free transfer, with the midfielder set to pen a three-year contract.
The move has not been officially announced by either side but City have adopted a pragmatic approach due to the player’s age and length of contract the 32-year-old was seeking, in keeping with similar situations over recent years.
Gundogan was in talks with City about a new deal, with his contract set to expire at the end of June.
However, the length of the deal on offer for the 32-year-old – one year plus an option of a further 12 months – was a sticking point. Arsenal were also interested in Gundogan.
The influential former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League in his seven years at City.
Watch the best bits from Manchester City’s treble parade as the players and staff took to the stage to celebrate with fans.
Gundogan lifted three trophies in the 2022/23 season as City became only the second English side to win the treble.
It comes as Man City have agreed a £30m deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, which would go some way to compensating for the loss of Gundogan.
Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge provides details behind the deal that will see Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic sign for Premier League champions Manchester City
The fee is understood to be worth an initial £25m guaranteed plus £5m in performance-related add-ons. A formal announcement of Kovacic joining last season’s treble winners is expected soon.
Kovacic has been at Chelsea since joining from Real Madrid – initially on loan – in the summer of 2018.
The Croatia international has won four major trophies during his time at Chelsea – including his fourth Champions League in 2021 – while going on to make 221 appearances for the club.
Walker wants Man City to stay despite Bayern interest | PSG target Silva can leave
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett brings the latest updates on Man City defender Kyle Walkers future.
Kyle Walker would prefer to stay at Manchester City this summer despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Sky in Germany are reporting that Bayern are in advanced negotiations to sign the City defender, but it is understood the 33-year-old wants to remain at the Etihad and sign an extension to his existing contract.
Walker has one year left on his current deal, and City have no desire to sell him this summer.
Man City will not stand in Bernardo Silva’s way if he wishes to leave the club.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says he has ‘strong views’ on Premier League charges against his club. Credit: CityTV.
However, as has previously been the case, the player and his representatives must request a transfer and present a suitable offer to the treble winners to consider.
Paris Saint-German are interested in signing him, while Barcelona are also long-term fans of the Portugal international.
In an ideal world for City, Silva would stay and sign a new long-term contract, having been instrumental in their momentous achievements last season, winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup trophies.
However, Silva is understood to have considered a move away from City last summer, which did not materialize.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors in our dedicated Transfer Center blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
