‘Wah kya signing hai’- Fans react as Ilkay Gundogan leaves Manchester City to join FC Barcelona

According to reports on Wednesday, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer. Barcelona is thought to have given Gundogan a three-year contract, and he is set to finalize his transfer to the Spanish champions when his City contract ends at the end of June. City was said to be eager to offer their 32-year-old skipper a fresh one-year deal with the option of an additional year.

However, Gundogan’s anticipated move to Camp Nou was reported on the same day that City agreed to pay £30 million ($38 million) for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic. Kovacic’s flexibility and experience would assist compensate for the loss of Gundogan, whose leadership and penchant for scoring vital goals were crucial to City’s success under Pep Guardiola.

Gundogan career at Manchester City

Gundogan scored twice in City’s FA Cup final win against Manchester United this season before Guardiola’s Premier League champions defeated Inter Milan in the Champions League final. This season, the Germany international appeared in 51 games, scoring 11 goals, including six in his last seven appearances during the stressful triple run-in. City became only the second English club in history to win all three major trophies in the same season. Gundogan will be remembered warmly by City supporters as one of the club’s unassuming touchstones throughout its golden period.

In his seven years at City, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has won five Premier League championships, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the Champions League. Guardiola was eager to keep Gundogan, who has a good bond with the City manager thanks to years of living in the same luxurious Manchester apartment building. However, considering Gundogan’s age, City agreed to match Barcelona’s offer and appear to have made the pragmatic choice to let him go.

Man City will also not stand in the way of Bernardo Silva’s desire to leave the club. However, like in the past, the player and his representation must request a move and make an acceptable offer to the treble-winners. Paris Saint-German is interested in signing him, while Barcelona has long been a fan of the Portugal international.

Here’s how fans reacted to Gundogan’s Barcelona transfer: 

He's achieved everything there's to achieve with Man City. Wants a new challenge. Plus living in Barcelona sure beats living in Manchester. People forget these guys are people too and have families. Also, Barcelona struggled to a 10-point lead over Real Madrid to win La Liga.

— Matteo (@MatteoDucati7) June 21, 2023

Careful, he’s a hero

— Teddy (@MNCTed) June 21, 2023

We have got enough young players as they need mentorship. Like you keeping Modric and Toni Kros.

— Lungani Mthethwa (@Lunganee) June 21, 2023

https://twitter.com/TheLucasLad/status/1671562542970175492?s=20

Unlike 12th place Chelsea, we won two titles last season😅👍🏿

— Napaul (@LifeOfNapaul) June 21, 2023

Time out for gavi

— Rahim Bamuda (@RBamuda) June 22, 2023

Not old or washed. Nice try.
Scored two important goals in the FA cup for city and when you need him the most he is there. Great player, and Captain. Overall barca is lucky and privileged to have him on their team.

— Brando (@CityzenBrando) June 21, 2023

huge W ❤️
next year we will cook 🔥

— Noorie (@nurasabitu) June 21, 2023

He wasn’t bought, he was signed for free.

— Libby (@_liiberty_) June 22, 2023