İlkay Gündoğan explains why he left Barcelona after just one season | OneFootball

Manchester City star İlkay Gündoğan has this week provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to depart Barcelona last summer.

Midfielder Gündoğan was of course at the heart of one of the more bizarre transfer sagas of the 2024 summer market.

This came after reports began to mount that the German, just a year on from linking up with Barcelona on a free transfer, was primed for a departure.

Not only that, but Gündoğan’s chief suitors came in the form of Manchester City, the club whom he had decided to leave 12 months prior.

The 34-year-old’s solitary season on the books of Barcelona actually proved a thoroughly productive one, with Gündoğan having shone en route to five goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.

Safe to say, then, that his exit came as nothing short of a shock.

Speaking to the media this week, Gündoğan, in turn, did his best to provide an insight into precisely what led to his Blaugrana spell being cut short.

During an interview with BILD, as cited by Diario Sport, the experienced midfielder explained:

“I always dreamed of playing for Barça, and I have fulfilled it. I had a conversation with Xavi about my future in April 2024. By the way, I think Xavi is a good coach; we played well together with him, only Real Madrid were too strong.

“They originally signed me as a player who would bring his experience to the team and the club.”

Gündogan continued:

“In the end, I thought it was better to leave; Even at the club, I perceived that, despite what I considered a very decent season, they were in favour, mainly for economic reasons. And I’m one of those who is not going to stay because of the contract to cause problems for anyone.”

Conor Laird – GSFN