“If I Was Going To Move, There Is Only One Club In The World That Made Sense”
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Manchester City will have the honor of defending three titles that they won in a historic treble win for the 2023/24 season, but they will have to do that without their influential captain, Ilkay Gundogan.
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The German midfielder saw his contract with the club expire at the end of this month and in a surprising move, he has decided to join Barcelona despite offers from Saudi Arabia or even staying on with City.
The departing captain has left a heartfelt letter to the fans at the Etihad, but also explained his reasons for joining Barcelona. His move was confirmed on Monday morning, with the German midfielder signing a two-year deal with an option for a third. Gundogan admitted it was hard to say goodbye to Pep Guardiola.
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“One of the hardest calls I had to make was to Pep, telling him that I was going to leave. All I could do was to say thank you. Not just for this season, or for all the trophies, but for bringing me here in the first place.”
“I think maybe Pep was hoping that we would come here to City together and leave together, but I know that he understands my decision. I am sure it helps that I’m going to his boyhood club.” He also admitted that there was only one place that he would have gone if he was leaving Manchester City.
“If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day. I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barcelona back to where they deserve to be.
“It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa, and I’m excited to play under another manager who I have admired for a long time. When Xavi and I talked about the project, it just seemed so natural. I see so many similarities between us as characters and in the way we see the game.” He further added.
He is under no illusions that it would be no easy task with the Blaugrana; “I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure at Barcelona. But I love pressure. I love to get out of my comfort zone. I was not looking for an easy landing. I was looking for a new challenge. That’s what this next chapter is all about.”
“I can’t wait to play in the Barcelona shirt.” He concluded. Despite winning the LaLiga title this season ahead of their rival, Real Madrid, the Blaugrana have exited the Champions League group stage for the last two seasons, and improvement there is their main target this season.
Of course, having helped City lift their first ever UCL title, he looks like the perfect man for the job, especially with the fact that Sergio Busquets has already left the club.
Meanwhile…
As things stands now, Barcelona will have to focus on players exit from the club if they hope to make any more signings after picking up Gundogan.
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Four players are sure to be on their way out, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Alex Collado and Sergino Dest and all four players spent the 2022/23 season out on loan. This time around, the club want them to leave on a permanent transfer.
Lenglet is the most likely to leave, with Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur haggling over a price for the Frenchman. Spurs appear reluctant to pay Barcelona’s €10m asking price, and will no doubt use this deadline as leverage.
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