Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Germany international, 32, has been a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City midfield since arriving from Borussia Dortmund back in 2016. However, he has less than six months remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and can talk to clubs about a pre-contract deal for the 2023/23 campaign.
According to The Telegraph, Barcelona are looking at signing Ilkay Gundogan from Man City in the summer as they look at Bosman deals for head coach Xavi Hernandez. They have looked at midfielders with expiring contracts including Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante. However, Kante is edging closer to a new deal at Stamford Bridge and that has shifted their focus towards Gundogan, the report adds.
Barcelona’s chances of signing Gundogan rest on whether he extends his contract with the Sky Blues after seven glittering years at the club. The German’s importance in the team has further increased as he took over the captaincy role from Fernandinho following the Brazilian’s departure last summer.
Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona—The right choice?
Barcelona have targeted the Bosman market in the last 12 months due to their financial constraints. They signed the likes of Hector Bellerin, Frank Kessie, Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen on free transfers last summer. And it seems like the Catalan giants could again look to use the Bosman market when recruiting players for the next season.
Xavi Hernandez wants to sign a central midfielder in the summer. Xavi is said to be open to letting Franck Kessie leave the club this year, with the Ivory Coast international failing to make an impact since arriving on a free transfer from AC Milan. Sergio Busquets’ contract will expire in June, which could force Barcelona to enter the market for a replacement.
Ilkay Gundogan may not be a like-for-like replacement for Busquets but he could add a lot of value to this Barcelona side. The 32-year-old arrived at Man City from Dortmund as Pep Guardiola’s first signing, and he has gone on to make 278 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 51 goals and contributing 35 assists in the process.
The Germany international has been a serial winner with the Cityzens, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four EFL Cup trophies, as well as two Community Shields. He continues to be a vital player for City, contributing two goals and two assists in 25 appearances in all formats so far this campaign.
At 32, the ex-Dortmund man still has a lot to offer at the highest level and would instantly improve Barcelona’s midfield unit. He is technically gifted and tactically versatile, which should make him a top fit for Xavi’s system at the club. The German would bring great experience and pedigree to a young midfield featuring the likes of Gavi, Pedri and Pablo Torre, especially when they’d be losing a stalwart like Busquets.
On a potential free transfer in the summer, Ilkay Gundogan would represent an astute piece of signing for Barcelona.