Sensational return, Pep Guardiola call, Man City dilemma - Ilkay Gundogan transfer decided
Manchester City haven't had the busiest of summer windows over the past few months but a potential return for Ilkay Gundogan would certainly ramp up their transfer activity.
Pep Guardiola's side looked more than comfortable in their 2-0 opening weekend win over Chelsea on Sunday as they look to win their fifth-straight Premier League title. The man who lifted the third title in that string of four-straight for them, Gundogan, left the club after seven ears of service last summer but is now exploring his options amid the possibility of leaving Barcelona.
The 33-year-old still has two years left on his deal with the La Liga giants, but missed the side's 2-1 win over Valencia on the opening day of the season with a concussion. The Manchester Evening News understands that Guardiola would be open to reuniting with the German, but Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was adamant that Gundogan would be staying in Spain this summer, claiming: "I think he's going to end up staying at Barca. He was out tonight as he had some discomfort. I spoke to Ilkay, but that stays between us as it's private conversation."
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Could City's treble-winning captain make a dramatic return to the Etihad Stadium just a year after leaving? Here's what our writers think about the Germany captain's situation...
You will struggle to find a Manchester City fan who doesn't want Gundogan back.
On top of him being a lovely person who made himself a part of the local community for seven years, he was a wonderful footballer who rescued Guardiola's side from gifting Liverpool another