Ilkay Gundogan and Manchester City. One last dance

Image courtesy of football-espana.net

Football is set for the biggest comeback transfer story since Cristiano Ronaldo re-joined Manchester United in 2021.

Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola's first signing for the club, the man who scored two goals in the final fifteen minutes to win City the league on the final day of the 2021/22 season, the man who led City to the treble, is coming back to the club from Barcelona on a one year deal with an option to extend for another 12 months.

Barca have a recent reputation of managing their finances poorly, and having just signed Dani Olmo for €60 million, need to clear room in their squad in order to be able to register him.

Considering Gundogan is 33, is on a high wage and is viewed as more disposable than academy graduates Pedri and Gavi, Barcelona wee desperate to get him off their books so they can register Olmo to play, and are therefore allowing Gundogan to leave for free.

At first, the prospect of Gundogan returning to City was a case of "what if." Then, when thought about with a logical head, it became apparent that it'd actually make sense as a footballing transfer without taking sentiment into account.

It's well known that City have been in the market for a player who is comfortable playing as a six or an eight and won't be expecting guaranteed game time.

They would need to be comfortable on the ball and familiar with the type of possession based football Pep Guardiola wants to play. Ideally, they would also have Premier League experience and be able to contribute in the dressing room with strong leadership and communication.

Gundogan ticks every one of these boxes. But still, it seemed unlikely that City would make a move for him.

That was until The Athletic's Pol Ballus announced that it was something that the Blues were seriously considering. Soon, the likes of Fabrizio Romano, David Ornstein, Sam Lee, Jack Gaughan and Gerard Romero jumped on the bandwagon, and the deal was progressing.

Guardiola has given his blessing to re-signing his former skipper. Gundogan was desperate to make the move happen and prioritised contact with City above all else. Barcelona need to get rid of him and are happy to do so without a transfer fee. Gundogan will fill exactly what City need in terms of a new midfielder.

Even before you add sentimental reasons, it seems the perfect transfer for all parties.

Add the fact that it's one of the greatest players in City's history returning to the club after having led them to a treble for a reunion with his former teammates, it just completes the narrative.

After Romano all but confirmed the transfer with his famous "Here We Go" catchphrase, City fans can finally begin to get excited about the return of one of the best players in their history.

Gundogan's impending arrival will instantly improve the quality of City's midfield and will likely slot straight back into the leadership group, if not as captain.

It is not expected that he will start as many games as he did in his final season for the club, with a greater number of options of players who can play in central midfield.

Rodri is guaranteed to start at the base of midfield when fit and firing, with two free spaces ahead of him. Gundogan would be one of those options, along with Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and youngsters James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly.

There's plenty of room for rest and rotation amongst all of those options, with all of those options likely to be able to get a good number of minutes this season.

Gundogan, Kovacic and O'Reilly can all play as the defensive midfielder for when Rodri needs a rest, which should hopefully see an increase in the number of games in which the 28 year old is afforded a break this campaign.

Even if he only stays for one year, Gundogan's influence on the squad will be significant, particularly on young McAtee and O'Reilly and Rico Lewis if he is to ever play in central midfield, as he mentors them in training to pass the baton on when him, Bernardo and De Bruyne eventually depart.

If Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Guardiola all depart next summer (as there is a chance they all could do) it'll be a summer of transition for City, as they look to bring in new midfield options to refresh and give more responsibility to their young players.

The German's arrival this summer therefore helps soften that transition somewhat by better preparing the youngsters to take over, whilst also perhaps providing a familiar face at the club if he is to outstay Guardiola.

But for now, we can only focus on Ipswich Town this weekend, where Gundogan is likely to be welcomed home like a king by a packed out Etihad Stadium, whether he is playing or is simply just there for his unveiling.

We can be excited now, City fans, as Ilkay Gundogan is back where he belongs.

Image courtesy of mancity.com