Manchester City is in advanced talks to re-sign midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona on a one-year contract with the option of an additional year. The 33-year-old has turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar in order to return to City. This move would come as a boost for the club after Sky Sports News reported that Gundogan had been given permission to leave Barcelona due to their need to reduce player wages.
Manchester City Poised to Re-Acquire Ilkay Gundogan Amidst Contract Negotiations
Premier League giants Manchester City have reportedly entered advanced talks with former midfielder Ilkay Gundogan over a potential return to the Etihad Stadium. According to credible sources, the club is eager to re-sign the German international on a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.
Gundogan, a crucial cog in City's midfield during his previous stint from 2016 to 2022, has reportedly rejected lucrative offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to prioritize a return to the Sky Blues. The German's decision is a testament to the strong bond he forged with the club and its supporters during his first spell in Manchester.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Gundogan's move would provide a significant boost to City's midfield, which has faced some injury concerns in recent weeks. The 33-year-old's experience, leadership, and technical ability would add depth and quality to Pep Guardiola's squad.
Barcelona, the club Gundogan joined as a free agent last summer, is reportedly willing to part ways with the midfielder as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce player wages and comply with La Liga's financial regulations.
Background on Ilkay Gundogan's Time at Manchester City
Gundogan joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 and quickly established himself as a key player for the club. He was an integral part of City's Premier League title-winning seasons in 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2020-21.
The German international made a total of 271 appearances for City, scoring 51 goals and providing 34 assists. He was a versatile midfielder who could play in several positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and on the wings.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers Related to Ilkay Gundogan and Manchester City
Q: When did Gundogan leave Manchester City? A: Gundogan left Manchester City in June 2022 after his contract expired.
Q: Why did Gundogan leave Manchester City? A: Gundogan left Manchester City to seek a new challenge and to join former Borussia Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland at Barcelona.
Q: What position does Gundogan play? A: Gundogan primarily plays as a central midfielder but can also play as an attacking midfielder and on the wings.
Q: How many goals did Gundogan score for Manchester City? A: Gundogan scored 51 goals for Manchester City in 271 appearances.
Q: What is the current status of Gundogan's contract negotiations with Manchester City? A: Gundogan is reportedly in advanced talks with Manchester City over a potential one-year contract with the option for an additional year.
Chelsea emerged victorious against Leicester with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez in the first and second half respectively. Mads Hermansen's save and a disallowed goal added to the intensity of the game, but the visitors held on to secure all three points. This win puts Chelsea just one point behind 2nd placed Manchester City in the Premier League standings.
Arsenal and Brighton both clinched 1-0 victories in their respective matches against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, thanks to goals from Pedro and Saka. In other matches, Aston Villa and Wolves each scored equalizers against Crystal Palace and Fulham, while Manchester City took on Tottenham in a late match. Chelsea kicked off the day with a win against Leicester, and football fans can share their thoughts through #bbcfootball on WhatsApp or text.
Football pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch express their frustration with VAR after key decisions in the match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. Chelsea are currently leading 1-0 at half-time, thanks to a goal from Nicolas Jackson. The TNT Sports commentators believe Leicester should have been reduced to ten men after a dangerous tackle from Wilfred Ndidi, but VAR chose not to intervene. Cole and Crouch argue that the tackle could have seriously injured Chelsea's Cole Palmer.
Chelsea dominated Leicester City in their Premier League clash, with Nicolas Jackson scoring the only goal of the match in the 15th minute. The grudge match saw Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca returning to his old club for the first time since leaving in the summer. Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, the Blues were in complete control with around 70% possession. Young talent Noni Madueke also impressed, but had his goal ruled out for an offside call that was later revealed to be incorrect after the Spaniard was the one who cut the ball back for Madueke.
Chelsea secured a 2-1 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez. The victory was extra special for Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, who returned to his former club and led his team to victory. Fernandez was the standout performer for Chelsea, scoring a goal and providing an assist in an impressive display.
In a dominant display of batting, rising Indian star Yashasvi Jaiswal has set a new world record for most sixes hit by a batter in a single calendar year in Test cricket. His valiant knock of 90 runs from 193 balls in the first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth saw him hit seven fours and two crucial sixes, surpassing the previous record held by former New Zealand great Brendon McCullum. With this feat, Jaiswal has already broken the all-time India record set by Virender Sehwag earlier this year, proving his potential as a budding opening batsman.
Tilak Varma, the third-best T20I batter in the world, smashed 151 runs off 67 balls in Hyderabad's win over Meghalaya, setting a new record for the highest individual score in SMAT history. This was also Tilak's third consecutive T20 hundred, making him the first batter to achieve this feat. Hyderabad's total of 248 for six was its highest score in the tournament, while Meghalaya managed to score a mere 69 runs in response.
In his Test debut against Australia, Yashasvi Jaiswal showed commendable strength and confidence as he held his own against fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Despite being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal came back stronger in the second innings, helping India establish a lead with a half-century and a century partnership with KL Rahul. With his sights set on becoming the future of Indian Test cricket, Jaiswal is proving that he can perform under pressure on the international stage.
After a disappointing loss to Real Sociedad, Barcelona returns to LaLiga action against Celta Vigo, who have been struggling in the bottom half of the standings. Despite their defeat, Barcelona remains the league leaders and will be determined to continue their dominant run. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo will be looking for an upset against the top team.
Despite the fierce competition between the two nations, the camaraderie between Indian debutant Harshit Rana and Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc during the Perth Test was a heartwarming moment. Starc's friendly jibe to Rana about his bowling speed brought a smile to the latter's face, highlighting the bond they formed while playing together for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. While Starc played a crucial role in KKR's title win with his impressive spells, Rana contributed to the team's success with 19 wickets. Their friendly banter on the field shows the growing camaraderie between players from different countries, breaking traditional rivalries.