Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that he would only have left Manchester City for Barcelona in the summer transfer window, following his confirmed switch to the Camp Nou. The Germany international was heavily linked with a deal to join Arsenal in the coming weeks, but seemingly snubbed the chance.
It comes after a campaign where Gundogan was crucial yet again for Pep Guardiola and City, coming up with some huge moments that saw them secure a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble. The 32-year-old scored 11 goals across all competitions, with seven assists to his name too.
The German international has become synonymous with big moments for the past few seasons now, with one of the biggest being a brace against Aston Villa on the final day of the 2021/22 Premier League season that saw the side come from behind to win 3-2 and lift the title. With his contract up this summer, there was doubt over whether he would continue with City or move on.
Arsenal were a potential option, having been handed a chance to work with Mikel Arteta once again as part of a revamped midfield department. However, the final decision was to make a move to Barcelona, putting an end to his seven-year stint at the Etihad Stadium.
In a piece for the Players' Tribune, he said: "Today is bittersweet. Goodbyes are never easy, but it’s even harder with this team. When I had to break the news to the boys that I was leaving in our group chat, I was very emotional. I will miss all of them, honestly. But I am happy to say that I’m leaving here as a champion, and I have nothing but love for the club in my heart. How many footballers can say goodbye as the captain of a treble team?
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"It’s amazing what we achieved. Five Premier League titles in my seven years here. Two FA Cups. The Champions League. The treble. But those are just trophies. The thing that I will remember the most is the feeling inside the squad, especially this season. I’ve never experienced something like it in football."
Later in the story he admits that if he was going to leave City, there was only one club he'd be joining, as he continued: "If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day.
"I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barcelona back to where they deserve to be. It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa [Robert Lewandowski], and I’m excited to play under another manager who I have admired for a long time. When Xavi and I talked about the project, it just seemed so natural. I see so many similarities between us as characters and in the way we see the game."
It shows that perhaps the Gunners weren't able to land Gundogan ahead of Barcelona, even if they made a huge push for his signature. With that in mind, focus will have to switch elsewhere and to other targets, with Declan Rice being one of those firmly on the agenda.
