Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan is nearing a return to the Premier League with Manchester City after Barcelona seemingly agreed to a deal that will see the German return to the Etihad Stadium.

The 33-year-old has only spent a year at Barcelona but he now wants a return to Etihad where he won the Premier League multiple times, the treble and a UEFA Champions League title. On Monday, Gundogan announced retirement from international Football which seemingly felt like a bid to focus on club football.

However, the club football may not continue under Hansi Flick at Barcelona as the Spanish club has have accept a deal that will see Gundogan move to Manchester City on free transfer. Although German manager Hansi Flick was willing to have the midfielder remain at Barcelona, Gundogan hasn’t stayed on the same path and luckily his former manager at Manchester City Pep Guardiola has shown willingness to take him back at Etihad.

The major reason for his decision to leave has been linked to the change in tactics by Hansi Flick who became the coach of the club in the summer. Flick favours a high-intensity playing style plus emphasizes pressing and attacking from advanced positions. 

This change in tactical decision will affect the maintenance of Gundogan’s importance to the squad, especially with the signing of Dani Olmo. Olmo is so important to the Flick system to the extent that the former RB Leipzig man is expected to take free kicks.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Gundogan and Flick last Thursday ended without Flick’s guarantee that the German will be regular on starting spot. Many believe in the tactical excuse for the Gundogan situation but many also believe that Barcelona’s financial situation contributed to the premature exit of Ilkay Gundogan.

Barcelona won their first game of the 2024/2025 La Liga with a 2-1 win over Valencia, and they face Athletic Club next.