Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan to leave club for Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan will leave Manchester City for Barcelona, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed. 

The 32 year-old, who was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the Etihad Stadium back in 2016, will leave the club following the expiration of his contract at the end of the month. 

Gundogan captained Manchester City to the treble this season, as the Sky Blues lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League during an historic campaign. 

The German midfielder scored twice during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, netting two goals against Manchester United, including a sublime strike 12 seconds into the game. 

Gundogan also scored famous goals to help Manchester City win the Premier League title, scoring a dramatic brace against Aston Villa last year. 

The 32 year-old has agreed a deal with Barcelona, signing an initial two-year contract with the Catalan club, despite hope from Manchester City that the midfielder could remain at the Etihad Stadium.

Gundogan’s contract will an include an option of an additional year, with the midfielder also having a release clause worth €500 million, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The City captain had been subject to interest from Arsenal and former club Borussia Dortmund, however the 32 year-old has chosen to sign for the La Liga champions, becoming the latest City player to swap East Manchester for Catalonia.

Over the course of seven years, Gundogan won 14 trophies including five Premier League titles with Manchester City.

The 32 year-old made 304 appearances and scored 60 goals under Pep Guardiola.

Reports last month had suggested that Gundogan could sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium, with talk of City tabling an improved deal to the midfielder, in an attempt to fight off competition from Barcelona.

Fellow Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero left the Blues for Barcelona in 2021, while Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia have also completed moves to the Nou Camp in recent years.

Manchester City are currently yet to confirm the departure of Gundogan, who was listed on the club’s published release list last week.