NEW DELHI: Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is reportedly on the verge of leaving the treble-winning club to join Barcelona on a free transfer, according to sources on Wednesday.
It is believed that Gundogan has been offered a three-year contract by the Spanish champions and is expected to finalise the move once his Manchester City contract expires at the end of June.
Earlier reports indicated that Manchester City was prepared to offer their 32-year-old captain a new one-year contract with the possibility of an additional 12 months. However, it was revealed on the same day that City agreed to a £30 million ($38 million) deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
The arrival of Kovacic, known for his versatility and experience, is seen as a move to compensate for the departure of Gundogan, whose leadership and ability to score crucial goals played a pivotal role in Manchester City's success under Pep Guardiola. Gundogan notably netted twice in City's FA Cup final victory over Manchester United this season, followed by their triumph over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Throughout the season, the German international made 51 appearances, scoring 11 goals, including six in his last seven matches during the intense treble pursuit. Manchester City became only the second English side to win all three major trophies in a single season.
Gundogan's contributions will be fondly remembered by City fans as he played a significant role in their club's golden era. During his seven-year tenure at Manchester City, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder secured five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the coveted Champions League trophy.
While City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his desire to retain Gundogan, who shares a close relationship with him after residing in the same luxury Manchester apartment block for years, the club reportedly decided not to match Barcelona's offer due to the player's age. The decision appears to be a pragmatic one, allowing Gundogan to pursue a new challenge while giving City the opportunity to reshape their squad.
(With inputs from AFP)
