Barcelona switch couldn’t be a better move for Ilkay Gundogan

For Manchester City: A sad day. In Ilkay Gundogan, City are losing a legitimate club legend, a versatile midfielder who repeatedly proved himself a big-game player. Indeed, as team-mate Kyle Walker noted, by the end of Gundogan’s seven-year stay at the Etihad, he had developed a reputation for turning into “prime (Zinedine) Zidane during the last few months” of every season. City did their utmost to convince the Germany international to stay for one more season, with the option of another, but Barca’s offer of a guaranteed two-year contract, coupled with a salary increase, proved decisive. Obviously, the treble-winners have already brought in Mateo Kovacic to strengthen their midfield, but the Croatian isn’t anywhere near as multi-talented, influential or decisive a player as the outgoing Gundogan. Grade: C

For Barcelona: A fantastic addition. Gundogan will turn 33 in October but, as he underlined during City’s glorious 2022-23 campaign, he remains a world-class player, one that never stops working and carries a constant goal threat. With Sergio Busquets having just left Barca, Gundogan will also a restore some much-needed experience to Xavi’s midfield. There are understandable concerns over whether he is ideally suited to the coach’s diamond midfield, but if Gundogan has demonstrated anything in recent years, it’s that he’s one of the most adaptable players in the game today – and Barca have got him on a free. Grade: B+

For Gundogan: The perfect way to wrap up his career at the very highest level. Gundogan has clearly been tempted by Barcelona for some time now, and it’s easy to understand why. For all of the Catalans’ economic issues in recent years, Camp Nou remains one of the greatest stages in world football. He should enjoy himself performing alongside Pedri & Co. – no matter what role he’s asked to play. He’s also managed to secure exactly what he wanted – a lucrative, two-year contract with the option of a third – while at the same time leaving City on excellent terms. In that sense, things couldn’t have gone any better for Gundogan. Grade: A+