Why FC Barcelona Want Manchester City Star Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan has emerged as one of the strongest options FC Barcelona have to pursue in the upcoming winter transfer market.

The 32-year-old’s contract at Manchester City expires in June next year, and the German is thought of by Mundo Deportivo as a candidate that can bring Barca first team coach Xavi Hernandez something different to the midfield.

Unlike Pedri and Gavi who are still finding their feet in this respect, Gundogan is a proven goalscorer. In the 2020-21 season, he scored 17 goals across all competitions and was important last term when netting a double that helped City to come from 2-0 behind against Aston Villa and win the Premier League title with a 3-2 victory.

Gundogan has already scored two goals this season, and boasts a tally of 23 strikes in his last 67 Premier League matches for the Mancunians.

This makes him comparable to teammate Kevin de Bruyne – who is considered the best midfielder in Europe by many – with 24 goals in his last 69 Premier League matches, and sees him fare better than Barca’s big transfer target in the summer, Bernardo Silva, who has scored 12 goals in 75 Premier League games across the last two-and-a-half years at the Etihad.

With Silva priced at anything from €80-100mn ($83-103mn), Gundogan provides Barca a cheaper alternative to the Portuguese. As Silva can play as an interior, midfielder, winger on either flank or a false 9, however, he is more versatile than his elder colleague.

Bringing Gundogan on board could be beneficial for Robert Lewandowski. The pair spent three seasons together at Borussia Dortmund and are well-acquainted. Between 2011 and 2014, they formed a strong partnership on the field and friendship off it.

Under Jurgen Klopp, Gundogan and Lewandowski were two of the lead protagonists in a golden era for Dortmund which saw them win the Bundesliga twice and finish runner up to bitter rivals Bayern Munich in the 2012-2013 Champions League final.