Barcelona have been rushing to accelerate departures this week to ensure they register Dani Olmo for La Liga and despite their best efforts, the 26-year-old is yet to be registered in time for the Athletic Bilbao clash.
One player whose exit has left a sour taste in the mouths is that of Ilkay Gundogan. The German midfielder is now back at Manchester City on a free transfer to help the club out financially after just one season in Spain.
The 33-year-old had an incredible season in a Barcelona jersey and was arguably the team’s most consistent player. Despite not having the armband, he was a leader on and off the pitch, helping the club through some of its tough times.
Barcelona fans would not have wanted to see that back of Gundogan but the financial situation has forced the club into making a drastic decision. The 33-year-old has already been announced by Manchester City as a new signing.
Hansi Flick was asked about Gundogan’s transfer in the pre-match press conference as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. The German explained how the situation changed last week.
“After the game against Valencia I said that we had a conversation and I thought he was going to help us, but he changed his mind this week. That happens.”
Flick went on to say that he had nothing but good things to say about the veteran midfielder and called him a ‘fantastic player’.
“I know him as a player and as a person and I can only say good things about him. He was a fantastic player for Barça.”
The German has been spot-on with his words here. Barcelona fans will always love Gundogan for the way he conducted himself. When the club was in a pickle financially, he left without a fuss, even writing off the rest of his contract.
The emergence of Marc Casado and Marc Bernal in midfield and the signing of Dani Olmo meant that Barcelona could afford to lose Gundogan from a sporting perspective. The 33-year-old is now reunited with Pep Guardiola under whom he played some of his best football.
It’ll be interesting to see how Gundogan performs at Man City in his second spell at the club. Barcelona fans might be unhappy with the German leaving but it had to be done and now, it’s time for all parties to move on.
