Audio By Carbonatix
Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan will join Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this month.
Gundogan, 32, was offered a new contact by City but is thought to have negotiated a more lucrative three-year deal with the Spanish champions.
City boss Pep Guardiola was keen to keep Gundogan, who was integral to the club winning the Treble this season.
The Germany midfielder played 51 games in 2022-23, scoring 11 goals.
Gundogan's influence was crucial in the closing weeks of City's season with six goals in his final seven games - including a double in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
He played 90 minutes in the Champions League final as City beat Inter Milan 1-0 to add to their Premier League and FA Cup triumphs this season.
Guardiola said earlier this month City director Txiki Begiristain was "working" to keep Gundogan and he "hoped he can be successful".
Gundogan's departure follows City agreeing a £30m deal with Chelsea to sign Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £20m in 2016 and made 304 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.
During his seven years at Etihad Stadium he has won 14 trophies - five Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups and two Community Shields.
He was made club captain at the start of 2022-23 following the departure of Brazil midfielder Fernandinho.
'Gundogan will be remembered like Silva, Kompany and Toure at City'
Analysis by Simon Stone, BBC Sport
Ultimately, it has come down to simple economics from Manchester City's point of view.
Yes, they wanted Gundogan to stay. Yes, Guardiola was unstinting in his praise of the German as the final weeks of an historic season.
But City did not want to keep Gundogan at any price.
They offered the German a one-year contract with the possibility of an extra season on top. Barcelona offered an additional year on top of that.
Gundogan is 32 and, while he was outstanding for City and has an awareness few can match, he is not going to get any better.
City, as Treble winners, are in a position of strength. Players want to play for Guardiola. The club can attract high-class talent and, in Kovacic, are on the brink of doing just that.
Gundogan will be fondly remembered at the club, just as David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany still are.
Latest Stories
-
Karaga MP donates 4,000 gallons of fuel to boost livelihoods in New Year outreach
43 minutes -
GIPC CEO engages European Parliament delegation on Ghana’s investment reforms
48 minutes -
BoG rejects market speculation, emphasises data-driven policies
2 hours -
BoG targets consolidation, discipline in 2026 policy direction
2 hours -
GJA-Ashanti commends EPA’s continuous engagement with journalists who were involved in accident
2 hours -
Wenchi needs development, help us – Chiefs to Aseidu Nketia
2 hours -
EPA boss encourages journalists not to relent in their support to fight galamsey
3 hours -
Domestic Gold Purchasing Programme helped Ghana’s economy during difficult period – IMF
3 hours -
Ike City Group of Companies touches hearts at Dzorwulu Special School with compasionate donation
3 hours -
Vehicle exhaust pipes on the left create about 40% more pollution on the road than those on the right – Study
3 hours -
My Response to Dr Bryan Acheampong: Facts must prevail
3 hours -
U.S. and Ghana Armed Forces strengthen medical readiness at SETAF-AF Best Medic Competition
4 hours -
Earlier passage of BoG’s Amendment Bill could have prevented haircuts – Dr. Asiama
5 hours -
Economic stability gains were hard-won through discipline and institutional effort – BoG Governor
5 hours -
GCB Bank rewards customers at first “Pa To Pa” Promo Draw
5 hours
