Manchester City's quest to replace departed captain Ilkay Gundogan rumbles on after they gave up on their chase of Declan Rice.
City have lost their captain as he will officially depart after seven years when his contract expires at the end of the month and join Barcelona on a free transfer. The Blues have got used to waving goodbye to legends over the years but Pep Guardiola has rarely lost a player still so integral to his side, one still delivering crucial moments in the biggest games.
Gundogan is by no means past his peak like Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero or Fernandinho were, to the contrary, he may well still be playing the best football of his career. After his brace won the title on the final day of the 2021/22 season, the German was again instrumental in getting City over the line this past season and scored twice in the FA Cup final on the way to the treble triumph.
