Barcelona president opens up about Ilkay Gundogan's exit to Manchester City

Gundogan spent a season at the Catalan club before rejoining Manchester City.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has provided a verdict on Ilkay Gundogan’s departure from the club after just one season at the Spanish team.

The club’s president disclosed that his exit from the team had been mainly due to sporting reasons and was not financially motivated. Gundogan leaving Barcelona came as a surprise for many fans given the midfielder had one of the most productive times with the club.

A lot of speculations revealed that the former Germany player’s exit was mainly due to financial reasons. It was supposedly to aid Barcelona who struggled to register new signing Dani Olmo.

However, this wasn’t the case as Laporta said: “It has been a decision solely and exclusively for sporting reasons.”

“Following the signing of Dani Olmo the role of Gundogan was not clear, because they shared a very similar position.”

“He’s an excellent person and player,” he further added.

Gundogan had left Man City as a free agent to sign for Barcelona with a two-year contract. But the former Borussia Dortmund player rejoined City just after a season with the Catalan club during this summer transfer window.

However, in his farewell message, Ilkay Gundogan hinted that his exit was mainly to help Barca financially. Gundogan said: “I have given everything to fight for the team and the club the best possible way in a difficult season and I was looking forward to helping my teammates in the new campaign.

“Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.”

Barcelona’s financial difficulties persisted even after the team made an effort to sign Dani Olmo, their lone acquisition of the summer transfer window. Supporters were unhappy with the way the club was run. Laporta took a lot of heat for not being able to resolve the club’s financial problems.

Xavi faced a similar fate after he highlighted the club’s financial mismanagement and was subsequently dismissed. Barcelona have played riveting football thus far under Hansi Flick, who is in charge of the team.

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