Barcelona on brink of ‘biggest signing of all time’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Jun 2023 08:23 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have been told that if they sign Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, it “could be the biggest signing of all time for them”.

Gundogan is widely expected to leave City at the end of his contract, which expires on 30 June.

Although several clubs have been linked with him, including City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, Barca are widely expected to win the race for a player who has not yet confirmed that he will be leaving the Etihad at the end of his deal.

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Despite this, former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha is firm in his belief that Gundogan will be on his way this summer – and that the Germany international will prove an invaluable addition for whichever club that he signs for.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “I think he knows what he is going to do. He has been so invaluable, especially in the second half of the season.

"When you look at all the leaders in that dressing room, and he's the captain, you see just how important he is.

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"If a club takes away Manchester City's captain after winning the Treble, it could be the biggest signing of all time for them.

“I can't see him staying at City - otherwise he would already have signed.

“Tonight [against Inter Milan in the Champions League final] will be his last game.”

Gundogan has been with Man City since 2016, when he arrived for just €27 million from Borussia Dortmund. The 32-year-old can, therefore, be considered one of the best pieces of transfer business ever conducted by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Over the course of seven seasons, Gundogan has played 303 times for Man City, scoring 60 goals, including the double that secured them the FA Cup against Manchester United.

Gundogan is widely expected to join Barcelona in the near future, potentially replacing Sergio Busquets in Xavi’s midfield.