İlkay Gündoğan rejoins Manchester City from FC Barcelona.

The former Barça midfielder signed a two-year contract to join the Catalunya club on 26 June 2023, on a free transfer, but only stayed for a season, and he's moved back to the Etihad in the summer of 2024 for free.

Gündoğan, for the record, was Barça's best player after just one year with the team:

• He has the most games (51) played in the 2023/24 season for Barça.

• He recorded the most minutes (4,180') across all competitions. 

• He has the most assists (14), surpassing Raphinha's 13.

• Gündoğan scored 5 goals in La Liga, including one in the Clásico against Real Madrid at Montjuïc in the first half of the season.

• Gündoğan put Xavi-worthy performance in midfield against Atletico Madrid in 2023/24 season.

Yeah, one season played for Barça managed by Xavi Hernandez, but in that season Gündogan earned the admiration of Barça supporters.

Now, the former Germany international has returned to the city of Manchester to continue competing at the highest level, which is his main focus as he bids farewell to Barça.

What could've possibly triggered FC Barcelona to let their best player leave for free?

Here are some of the arguments, and I feel they're legit enough:

Gündogan isn't the perfect fit for Hansi Flick's style of playing. He's almost 34 years old and would find it difficult to press high with the intensity that Flick wants.

The arrival of Dani Olmo, the return of Pedri, and the impressive emergence of Fermín Lopez, Hansi Flick, couldn't guarantee him a leading role.

Aside from the fact he's aging, Gündogan is on a relatively high salary, which isn't healthy for the club considering their present financial situation. 

Do FC Barcelona really need İlkay Gündoğan?

Gündoğan is a leader. Only a casual would dare underestimate the importance of leadership in a very young squad like that of Hansi Flick Barcelona. 

Barça opened the 2024/25 La Liga campaign with three 17-year-olds (Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Bernal) in a starting lineup with an average age of 24.8, which isn't a good sign.

There must be more balance of experience, which helps to psyche up the young squad.

That said, let's look at the midfielders that are supposed to be starters:

Pedri: The 21-year-old magician has been out injured for 476 days since the 21/22 season. He returned then picked up a knock in the Euro, which shows he's yet to fully recover. Pedri needs little playing time steadily to get back on track. Gündogan would've filled in.

Frenkie De Jong: No one knows when he will return after getting injured in April. Gündogan would perfectly hold his position.

Gavi: Suffered one of the worst injuries a footballer can have. He probably won't be fully back until 2025, although reports say he'd be back in November 2024; we await to see.

İlkay Gündoğan, now a Manchester City player, is a proven winner with an elite mentality. He adds experience and sets an example for the others. He should've stayed for at least one more season in Barcelona.

But the midfielder, despite his age, isn't ready to play a second fiddle. That's if what's been reported is true.

The reports flying around add that Hansi Flick informed the player that he is important to the squad and he expects him to be his first option from the bench. However, the former Germany midfielder wants to start every game possible.

Hence he left to rejoin his former club Manchester City, where he feels his style of play matches with the manager's demands for a full match.

So, Hansi Flick always wanted İlkay Gündoğan and maybe the management too. Maybe he would've stayed a little longer if he dared to cut down on his game time and maybe a couple of other things that Barça had requested.

Whatever the case, I feel the decision to leave favored both parties. I hope hec ontinues to find success because hei s an amazing player.

For FC Barcelona, even if they don't win anything in the 2024/25 season, with half of the team being kids from La Masia having their first season, they can win a lot in the future as these youngsters continue their development and they need playing time to do that.

The exit of İlkay Gündoğan gives Casado, Marc Bernal, and Fermin Lopez more playing time. 

Barcelona also enjoys more free-up space on the wage bill for the new signing, which helps register a couple of players that aren't yet registered. 

So İlkay Gündoğan leaving FC Barcelona to rejoin Manchester City seems much like a win-win situation for the player and the club.