Barcelona urgently needs money
Will Gündogan soon play with Ronaldo?
End of the DFB team – and also end of the FC Barcelona jersey? The club apparently wants to get rid of Ilkay Gündogan – and urgently needs money. Coach Hansi Flick says otherwise, but according to a report the 33-year-old could be facing a transfer to Saudi Arabia.
After his resignation from the German national soccer team, Ilkay Gündogan is threatened with an early exit from FC Barcelona, according to media reports. As Sky reports, the Barça management are said to have clearly informed the midfielder that he should leave in this transfer window.
The Madrid trade paper “AS” reported that the new coach Hansi Flick, who knows Gündogan well from their time together in the DFB team, does not see him as a regular player. The former national coach informed sports director Deco that Gündogan did not fit into his game concept.
Gündogan was missing from the 2-1 opening win against FC Valencia last Saturday. According to Flick, he had problems with a cut. He suffered this in the botched dress rehearsal against AS Monaco (0:3). Flick also said after the game that he had the feeling that Gündogan would stay. He really appreciates the 33-year-old. That doesn't sound publicly like you want to get rid of it.
Saudi Arabia – or would you rather go back to City?
However, according to the Catalan trade newspaper “Sport”, the traditional Spanish football club wants to try “to get some money for Gündogan's transfer”. Barcelona urgently needs money for new signings. Dani Olmo, who was signed by RB Leipzig for 55 million euros, has not yet been registered with the league. In addition, the Spanish European champion Nico Williams is to be signed by Athletic Bilbao. The Arabic portal “365scores” reported that the Catalans are said to have offered Gündogan to the Cristiano Ronaldo club Al-Nassr.
Gündogan's agent and uncle Ilhan had explained on August 8th that although there was interest from some clubs, the player wanted to stay in Barcelona. The Gelsenkirchen native's contract in Barcelona runs until the summer of 2026 after he only came from Manchester City on a free transfer in 2023.
According to Sky, a renewed commitment to the English football champions would be possible. City is therefore looking into bringing the midfielder back. Gündogan won the English championship five times and the Champions League once with Pep Guardiola's team in seven years.
