President Joan Laporta stated, Ilkay Gundogan prefers Barca to Man City’s money and Pep Guardiola is the first person to congratulate the student’s choice.
“All great players want to go to Barca and will continue to do so,” Joan Laporta told Onze.
The head of Barca added: “Gündogan? He has picked Barcelona over City’s bigger financial proposal
“He told me about his dream to play for Barcelona
“Pep Guardiola admits to losing a player that helped him win, but at the same time he is happy that Ilkay chose Barca. Pep Guardiola was the first to congratulate Ilkay Gundogan.”
Although the news of Gundogan’s arrival at Barca had been spread before, Man City fans could not help but be disappointed to see their captain end his love immediately after winning the historic treble with the club.
Man City offered Ilkay Gundogan a new contract with improved terms before the Germany international nodded to Barca. However, it is reported that the 32-year-old midfielder feels the Champions League champions have not done enough to keep him.
Gundogan was Pep Guardiola’s first signing when he arrived at Man City in 2016. Together they have won many trophies, including five Premier League titles and the recent Champions League trophy.
In a two-year deal with Barca with the option of an additional 12 months, Gundogan was given a clause that would allow him to leave immediately before the last day of the summer transfer window, if Barca does not successfully register his name in the squad next season.