Confusion in Barcelona over Hansi Flick’s Ilkay Gundogan decision

The German midfielder looks set to leave this summer, with the Premier League, Turkey and Saudi Arabia all possible destinations.

After another summer of upheaval in Barcelona, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan looks set to leave as the team rebuilds under new head coach Hansi Flick. Gundogan has been told of the decision to move him on but there remains confusion over exactly who made the call.

AS USA sources in Spain report that Flick recently told Deco, the Barça sporting director, that he does not see Gundogan as a key player in the new-look team. To prevent the news from leaking out, Flick reportedly then spoke to the German player to pass on the same message.

However Gundogan’s entourage maintain that the decision was not Flick’s, but came from those higher up in the club. Gundogan joined on a free transfer but earns a significant wage and still has two years left on the contract signed last summer. Barcelona’s financial struggles are no secret and they were unable to register new signing Dani Olmo in time to feature in their LaLiga opener against Valencia on Saturday.

The Athletic reports that teams in the Premier League, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have expressed an interest in Gundogan. Former team Manchester City are reported among those interested.

Why do Barcelona want to sell Ilkay Gundogan?

First of all, there is a legitimate sporting reason to want to move away from such a decorated and well-respected player. New boss Flick is attempting to reshape the Barca roster and reintroduce the high-tempo, passing football that distinguished the club under Pep Guardiola.

Young midfielders like Gavi, Pedri and Fermín López will be central to that effort, as will Dani Olmo once his registration situation is settled. However Barcelona’s starting XI for much of 2023/24 also included veterans Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski. There is a belief without the club that Gundogan and Lewandowski - 33 and 35, respectively - cannot both feature in this new style of play.

Of the two, Gundogan looks like he will be forced to make way.

Gundogan’s departure would also free up space in the club’s stretched wage budget, allowing them to complete the signing of Dani Olmo and potentially add another player. The German is not the only one to receive this treatment, 19-year-old starlet Vitor Roque is also close to an exit despite having only signed for the team last summer.

Once again, Barcelona’s transfer dealings are defined as much by the need to balance the books as there are by any cohesive on-field plan, something that leaves them at a significant disadvantage. They face an uphill battle if they are to overhaul the ten-point gap to Real Madrid this time around.