Ilkay Gundogan has left Manchester City after seven years at the Etihad and claims manager Pep Guardiola hoped the pair would head for the exit door together.
The 32-year-old was Guardiola's first signing at City and it proved to be an inspiring one. The pair were incredibly close throughout their shared time in Manchester, with Gundogan living next door to his manager. The ex-Germany international was always good value to step up at the biggest moments, much like he did last season.
Whether it be his remarkable brace away at Everton when the title race was really hotting up, or his volley inside the opening 16 seconds of the FA Cup rivals against fierce rivals Manchester United, Gundogan was a man for the big occasion. That's exactly why City were keen on keeping him at the club, though they failed to offer the two-year deal the player was after.
Barcelona, however, were all too keen and that is why Gundogan has upped sticks to the Camp Nou. There is even room to extend his stay until 2026 if both parties are happy with his progress two years in.
Upon confirmation of his departure, Gundogan explained that telling Guardiola he was planning to leave was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
"All I could do was to say thank you. Not just for this season, or for all the trophies, but for bringing me here in the first place," the five-time Premier League champion explained.
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"I will never forget when I hurt my knee at the end of the season with Dortmund [in 2016] and I had to get surgery, I was so worried that City would pull out of the deal for me. But Pep called me on the phone and said they will wait no matter how long it takes.
"I think maybe Pep was hoping that we would come here to City together and leave together, but I know that he understands my decision. I am sure it helps that I’m going to his boyhood club."
Guardiola's own future has been the subject of debate in recent weeks. While the City boss has a contract that doesn't expire until the summer of 2025, there is growing belief he will walk away from the Etihad in two years' time rather than pen another extension.
For now, his priority appears to be bolstering his midfield options, particularly after Gundogan's departure.
Mateo Kovacic is on the verge of leaving Chelsea to join City for a fee of £25million, while Guardiola's side submitted a late-night £90m bid for West Ham captain Declan Rice on Monday.
