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It transpires there is a way of replacing the irreplaceable. Manchester City missed Ilkay Gundogan and so Manchester City are signing Ilkay Gundogan. After one of the greatest goodbyes in footballing history, it may be something of a sheepish return for the German. And if a surprise sequel at the Etihad Stadium surely cannot have as perfect an ending as the first, for City a comeback can still seem to represent an unexpectedly perfect solution. They scarcely required a bargain – especially after Julian Alvarez’s £82m move to Atletico Madrid – but, on a free transfer, they have got one anyway.