Fabrizio Romano announces HUGE Man City transfer deal

Robin Bairner

21 Aug 2024 05:15 CDT
4 min read

Pep Guardiola, Fabrizio Romano, Man City — © IMAGO

Ilkay Gundogan is set to return to Manchester City after just one season at Barcelona, with football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano giving the deal his famous ‘here we go’ seal of approval.

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Gundogan’s disquiet at Barca emerged over the weekend as he was not included in the squad to face Valencia in the opening LaLiga match of the season.

It subsequently emerged that the Germany international felt he was being forced out of the club in a bid to free up wages, primarily for Dani Olmo, who the club were unable to register for the opening competitive fixture of the campaign.

Current ETV

İlkay Gündoğan

M (C)

Barcelona

İlkay Gündoğan

M (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€19.9M - €33.1M

Nevertheless, the 33-year-old Gundogan was willing to leave Camp Nou after a comparatively successful season in which he scored five goals and laid on 14 assists.

Man City quickly emerged as a potential destination, and Romano says the deal is all but a formality after Pep Guardiola gave it his OK on Tuesday.

“Ilkay Gundogan back to Manchester City, here we go! Deal in place with the German midfielder to join on a contract valid until June 2025,” Romano says on X.

“Agreement reached after positive talks in last 48h and Pep Guardiola said yes, as revealed yesterday.

“Gundogan will leave Barca for FREE.”

© IMAGO - Ilkay Gundogan will sign for Man City

The midfielder, who has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €26.5 million, had one year left on his Barcelona contract.

City have been in the market for reinforcements to their squad after Julian Alvarez forced his way out of the club to sign for Atletico Madrid.

Although Gundogan is a very different player to the Argentine, he is capable of operating in the No.10 position that the South American occupied during Kevin De Bruyne’s injury last term. Furthermore, he is accustomed to playing in a deeper central midfield role, which will be useful following Kalvin Phillips’ exit and the absence of Rodri due to injury.

Vitor Roque set for Real Betis

Gundogan will be joined in leaving Barcelona by striker Vitor Roque, who has made public is unhappiness at his fringe role at the club.

Matteo Moretto reports that the deal that will take the Brazil international to Real Betis has been agreed and that the Seville-based side will pay the vast majority of the player’s salary.

The exits of Gundogan and Vitor Roque should allow Barca to register Dani Olmo in time for the weekend’s mouthwatering clash with Athletic Club, where they will face their summer transfer priority in the form of Nico Williams.