Man City told departed captain Ilkay Gundogan could pose Champions League threat to them

Ilkay Gundogan could help make Barcelona contenders for the Champions League again. That's according to legendary German footballer Phillip Lahm, who has waxed lyrical about Gundogan's talents and believes he could come back to haunt Manchester City. The 32-year-old's marvellous seven years at the Etihad came to an end upon the expiration of his contract.

Though Pep Guardiola was desperate to keep him, Gundogan wanted longer on a new deal than City initially offered whereas Barcelona were only too happy to offer him a three-year contract. City's loss is Barca's gain as they have brought in a midfielder at the top of his game who has just been integral to his side's historic treble triumph.

Lahm rates Gundogan in the same bracket as legendary midfielders like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and believes he is an excellent signing for Barcelona. City go into the forthcoming European campaign as Champions and will be aiming to retain the famous trophy, but Gundogan could make his new side a threat to that.

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"So it will be an exciting new season. In the Champions League, the best international club league, competition could emerge for Manchester City and the eternal Real," he wrote in his collum for the Guardian. "Barca have left a gap to the top clubs in recent years but with Gundogan there is a chance to close it.

"Their [Croatia] outstanding player is Luka Modric. He has been part of his national team for a good 17 years. Modric, recognised as a brilliant midfielder in Europe and the world, is an icon like Xavi or Andrea Pirlo.

"Now Ilkay Gundogan has joined this squad by winning the Champions League as captain of Manchester City. After seven years