Ilkay Gundogan photographed in Manchester for secret meeting with Pep Guardiola after arriving from Barcelona | OneFootball

Manchester City’s second summer signing for their first-team squad, Ilkay Gundogan, has been photographed departing a secret meeting with Pep Guardiola.

The German midfielder landed in Manchester on a private jet from Barcelona on Wednesday evening, having brought an end to his one-year stay at the Catalan giants due to a change in direction from the club.

As the La Liga side continue to battle with precarious and significant financial problems, and struggle with the registration of new signing Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig in a €60 million deal, the club decided to save on the salary of Ilkay Gundogan.

Given the urgency of the matter, Barca permitted the player to also leave the club on a free transfer, with Manchester City moving swiftly to beat competition from clubs in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

With only the signing of various pieces of documentation and media duties remaining for the player at the City Football Academy on Thursday, Manchester City’s latest summer recruit has already been spotted meeting with key figures in the city centre.

As per photographers on the ground detailing information for The Sun newspaper, German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was spotted leaving a meeting with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola just hours after touching down from Barcelona.

The report details that the iconic Manchester City pair held a 50-minute meeting at Catalan restaurant, TAST in Manchester, which is part-owned by the Etihad Stadium tactician alongside other club colleagues.

Along with the Manchester City manager, it is also understood that City Football Group Chief Executive Officer, Ferran Soriano was in attendance at the meeting to welcome Ilkay Gundogan back to the football club.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain – who is being widely credited for the negotiations over personal terms – was also present, and both men are expected to welcome the player back to the training centre on Thursday.

It remains to be seen whether Gundogan will be in contention for Manchester City in their next Premier League match, as they welcome Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.