Per multiple reports, Ilkay Gündogan looks set to return to Manchester City, with Vitor Roque set to join Real Betis on loan.
Barcelona’s transfer window, given the expectations pre-July, has been rather underwhelming. Having only secured the signing of Dani Olmo, the Catalans have largely focused on outgoings.
Sergi Roberto is a free agent and reports suggest he could join Cesc Fábregas’ Como in Italy soon. Mikayil Faye has several clubs interested, and Vitor Roque’s future looks to be outside Barcelona, at least for the current season.
As previously reported, he prefers Real Betis, and seems set to join them on loan for the upcoming season. The deal would include no buy clause of any kind, and he would return to Barcelona at the end of the season to play under Hansi Flick.
As for Ilkay Gündogan, his situation at Barcelona has changed drastically over the last few weeks. From both him and his agent denying any rumors of a departure merely two weeks ago, the current outlook appears very different. Barcelona’s financial struggles have continued, and the Catalans have seemingly looked to offload high earners at the club. A deal for Clément Lenglet with Atlético Madrid seemed in place, but chances seem bleak as the Frenchman would prefer continuing at the club, despite him being far down Flick’s pecking order, having even been on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last season.
A player had to be sacrificed for the club’s financials to reach normalcy again and the famous 1-1 rule, and Gündogan seems to be that player. Having been a talisman for the club last season and one of the most consistent performers, and having joined on a free transfer coming off a treble high with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the midfielder looks set to return, for free, to the Cityzens.
He was seen entering Barcelona’s El Prat Airport Wednesday afternoon to head to Manchester, and an announcement of the deal seems imminent, subject to medical tests and the final paperwork and signatures.
Gündogan originally signed a 3-year deal with the Catalans, but his stint in Blaugrana seems to have been cut short.
