Ilkay Gundogan refutes the Man City leaving claim and explains his decision to ignore Arsenal.
Ilkay Gundogan, a former midfielder for Manchester City, was extensively linked with a move to Arsenal before signing a free transfer to Barcelona earlier this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan has acknowledged that playing for Barcelona was his “childhood dream” and that he turned down interest from Arsenal and other suitors this summer.
The 32-year-old Gundogan spent seven trophy-filled years at the Etihad before declining a contract extension in the summer. Only a few weeks after winning the treble with City, the seasoned midfielder made the decision to seek for a new challenge. The Gunners also unexpectedly expressed interest in signing him.
But Barcelona ultimately prevailed in the race to recruit the German international, with many assuming that Gundogan had been persuaded by the prospect of a lengthier contract. According to rumors, Manchester City had only extended a one-year contract to the former Borussia Dortmund star.
Gundogan has refuted claims that he departed City because of the length of any contract, telling the German publication BILD that he would have likely stayed with the champions had contract negotiations begun sooner.
Gundogan eventually got the chance to realize a “childhood dream” by joining Barcelona, though. He declared, “I’m sincere. Furthermore, a lot of people are unaware that it wasn’t ultimately about a year or two. The running time was not a concern. City had to wait a while for the conversations to truly pick up.
“Things might have been different if this had occurred a bit earlier. Thus, the conclusion was flawless and couldn’t have come at a better time. My earliest ambition was to join FC Barcelona.
Mikel Arteta, who collaborated closely with Gundogan and many other Manchester City stars during his time on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff, was most likely the driving force behind Arsenal’s rumored interest in the player.
By signing West Ham talisman Declan Rice for a club-record £105 million this summer, the Gunners were able to improve their midfield options. Rice has already made an impact at the Emirates.
To commemorate the start of the 20th anniversary of Arsenal’s undefeated Premier League season, the new uniform pays homage to the spirit of The Invincibles side of 2003–04. The record of 26 victories and 12 draws over 38 games in that illustrious season is stitched into the side of the authentic edition of the uniform, which also features the crest, the Adidas emblem, and the three stripes down each sleeve in gold.
Despite switching from the Premier League to LaLiga, Gundogan admitted he still keeps a careful eye on how his previous team is doing in England. I’ve viewed nearly all of my previous club’s television games thus far, he continued.
Before the season began, I visited Manchester once more, when I hosted a farewell party with Riyad Mahrez, to which all of the players were invited. That farewell was incredibly kind. And communication with former teammates and coaches will undoubtedly continue.
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