A year after signing up for his dream club, Manchester City’s treble-winning captain, Ilkay Gundogan, left and re-signed with Manchester City.
This catastrophic situation has left all the fans with FC Barcelona tickets in extreme shock, and the management is blamed for why this happened.
After City won the treble two seasons back, Gundogan felt like he had played his last match in England.
Getting to Barcelona as a free agent, the German national felt like his dream had come true.
Despite being injured, the midfielder had a decent season, but it looks like he is not in the plans of their new coach, Hansi Flick, leading to an inevitable exit.
Now he is reunited with Pep Guardiola at City.
Gundogan Leaves
Gundogan’s case has been one of the lead stories over the weekend in Catalonia ever since he was a surprise omission from Hansi Flick’s Matchday 1 squad.
Gerard Romero revealed that the veteran’s blow to the face in a 3-0 Joan Gamper Trophy loss to Monaco last Monday was the reason for the development. However, other onlookers, including Marta Ramon of RAC1, tweeted that Gundogan’s not being included in the squad list for an away trip to Valencia resulted from pressure being put on the midfielder to leave.
This scenario made the visiting fans at the away game with FC Barcelona tickets wonder why he wasn’t even part of the travelling squad.
As one of the highest-earning members of the first team alongside Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, Barca’s endless plight in trying to stay within Financial Fair Play limits would be alleviated by taking him off the payroll.
Those who wish for Gundogan to stay got a boost when the 33-year-old tweeted a message of support following the 2-1 comeback win over the Mestalla on Saturday.
This preceded Flick telling Spanish television how he believed the man he once made captain of his country would continue.
Dani Olmo Situation
The last few days have been eventful for FC Barcelona. Many things have been happening at the Catalan club, from being quite active in player sales to pursuing their left-wing reinforcement, Fede Chiesa. However, the issue of their dream transfer signing of the summer window being unregistered continues.
What does FC Barcelona need to do to register Dani Olmo quickly?
Remember that Gundogan’s free departure to Man City aimed to free up significant space in the club’s salary space limit for registering Olmo. However, as per reports, more than the veteran’s departure alone will be required for the club to register Olmo, with more departures required. Thus, the question arises: What must FC Barcelona do to register Dani Olmo quickly?
Ilkay Gundogan’s departure has freed the €15M salary he would have received on the wage bill, escalating the club’s pathway for Olmo’s registration. However, the club needs much more. As per reports, the club needs to sell another player or sign a major deal like the Nike contract to fancy its chances for Olmo’s availability.
Analyzing Barca’s current scenario, Vitor Roque’s departure could help the club significantly. Roque, nearing a move to the La Liga side Real Betis, would free a significant space in the club’s salary limit, easing Olmo’s registration. However, the club might need more sales to proceed for Olmo.
Clement Lenglet, linked to Atletico Madrid, is nearing an exit move, which could prove pivotal in Barca’s cause. Though an agreement on the defender’s move hasn’t been reached, Lenglet’s departure would free a considerable amount on the wage bill.
According to recent reports, Gündogan’s departure, combined with Vitor Roque and Lenglet, would free up about €36m of salary space in the best case.
Moreover, in the club’s ongoing pursuit to bring in Federico Chiesa as the left-wing reinforcement, the management is eyeing easing the winger’s registration. As per Marca reports, the club is working on an agreement with Nike and has found €20m that was not paid under the sale of Barça Vision.
Overall, the Blaugrana club needs to act quickly in the processes they have been involved in. If FC Barcelona manages to depart Vitor Roque and Lenglet soon and finalize a Nike deal, the club would be close to realizing Olmo’s registration.
This constant entry and exit situation has left fans with FC Barcelona tickets wondering if this is the plight they will need to see the club endure until the end of time.
It seems like mandatory sales need to be made every year to attract new players, and for fans who are regulars with FC Barcelona tickets, this becomes frustrating.
This is not just for the fans but also the players. As of today, every player on the Barcelona squad is for sale except for Lamine Yamal.
What does this indicate about a player’s future? How does a player know that he is valued?
The turn of incidents involving Ilkay Gundogan could’ve been avoided at all costs. Gundogan deserves the high-tier paycheck he was on, but simply because the club needed more space for the new signings, he had to find a new place to play his code.
The fans with FC Barcelona tickets wait for answers to these questions and a possible date when the team’s financial worries will be behind them.
Barca Finalizing Renewal for Pedri
Even as FC Barcelona continues to scramble in the market to strengthen its squad before the transfer window closes, it is still gaining sight of securing the future of the core of the current squad.
Pedri, whose current contract with the Catalan giants expires in 2026, is one such player who is the club’s present and future.
According to the media, Barcelona has already begun negotiating a contract renewal for Pedri, who has two years left on his existing deal.
The 21-year-old midfield sensation is considered one of the club’s ‘non-transferable’ players and a vital core part.
Even though he has been troubled by fitness problems, the quality Pedri brings to the table and the difference he makes on the pitch for Barcelona is not questioned.
While negotiations are open, a renewal agreement is unlikely to be finalized imminently, considering that Barcelona focuses on closing the transfer window on a strong note.
