New Barcelona star already pushing for Saudi Pro League transfer
Suraj Radia
- 24 Nov 2023 17:37 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona could look to spend their limited financial resources on a midfielder in January to replace the injured Gavi but they could lose another one of their men in the middle after Ilkay Gundogan reportedly requested to move to Saudi Arabia just months after joining.
Gavi will miss the remainder of the season after picking up an ACL injury while on international duty with Spain – a huge blow for Barca and Xavi, who were already feeling light in midfield before the news.
Barca’s financial issues have been well-documented and they have been operating under tight constraints in order to bring in new players, with free transfers such as Gundogan offering significant value since joining from Manchester City in the summer.
But a director of the Saudi Arabian Federation, Saad Al-Ladhim, stated that a player who refused to move to the Pro League in the summer has now contacted them with hopes of a potential winter transfer.
And Saudi paper Asharq Al-Awsat are quoted by SPORT as naming Gundogan as that player, with the German now ‘opening a door that was closed until now’ over a transfer to the Middle East.
Gundogan was also linked with a move to Galatasaray earlier this month, with reports in Turkey claiming the 33-year-old did not want to end his career without wearing the shirt of the Super Lig giants.
Why Gundogan could be sold despite his importance to Barca
A departure for Gundogan just one window after his arrival would be surprising, with the midfielder having penned a two-year deal and expressing his joy at achieving his ‘childhood dream’ of playing for Barca.
And the German international has been integral to Xavi, playing more minutes in La Liga than any other outfield player, meaning a mid-season sale could disrupt Barca’s attempts to defend their title.
However, Gavi’s injury has left Barca light in midfield and without an obvious solution, nor the resources to adequately replace the wonderkid, who is just behind Gundogan in minutes played this season.
Consequently, receiving a substantial fee for Gundogan from a Saudi club could allow Barca the means to not only replace the veteran in January but also Gavi.
While no decision has been made and the reports have come from sources outside of Barcelona, Gundogan’s future could already lie away from Camp Nou and the Champions League winner could be the latest star to make his move to Saudi Arabia.
