Barcelona and Gündogan: Is a Transfer on the Horizon?

The absence of Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona’s squad for their match against Valencia last Saturday was a major shock. Gündogan, a regular starter since joining the Blaugrana, was expected to feature in the lineup at Mestalla. The official reason for his omission was a knock he sustained during the Joan Gamper Trophy match, which forced him off the pitch.

However, there may be more to this situation than meets the eye. The club appears to be considering putting Gündogan on the market. The primary reason behind this potential move is financial. Despite joining Barcelona on a free transfer, Gündogan’s high salary is a significant burden. With his annual earnings around €15 million, the club could use this amount to cover the registration costs for new signings, such as Dani Olmo or Nico Williams.

Financial Fair Play and Gündogan’s Salary

Barcelona faces Financial Fair Play constraints, and Gündogan’s hefty salary is making it challenging to manage the club’s finances. The funds from potentially offloading Gündogan could be crucial for registering new players. Dani Olmo, who cost €47 million plus €8 million in variables, needs to be registered, as does Nico Williams. The cost of these new signings, including their wages, would be roughly equivalent to what Gündogan earns.

Injury or Market Strategy?

Gündogan’s absence from the Mestalla fixture has sparked various speculations. Barcelona claimed that the midfielder was still recovering from the Gamper Trophy injury, which had caused him dizziness and prevented him from completing some training sessions. However, other sources suggest that Gündogan has been training normally throughout the week. This discrepancy raises questions about whether his absence is due to market considerations rather than physical issues. The player’s camp supports the club’s version of events.

Impact of Dani Olmo’s Arrival

From a sporting perspective, the arrival of Dani Olmo adds another layer to the club’s decision-making. Olmo, signed for a significant fee, is expected to play a major role this season. With Pedri likely to feature prominently if he stays injury-free, and Gavi’s return making him a key player, Gündogan’s opportunities could be further limited. The rising talent of Fermín López also complicates Gündogan’s prospects at the club.

Gündogan’s Perspective

Despite the speculation, Gündogan’s representatives insist that the player remains committed to fulfilling his contract with Barcelona. He has this season plus an optional second year left on his deal. “Some clubs have shown interest in signing him, but Ilkay’s stance is clear: he plans to stay at Barcelona. He is eager to start the new season and help the team achieve its goals,” said his representative recently.

Gündogan himself echoed this sentiment when he traveled to Turkey recently, dismissing rumors linking him with Turkish teams. “Someday, I will join the Turkish Super League, but not this summer,” he stated. Yet, with the transfer window closing in 12 days, the club’s stance could influence his final decision.

Flick’s Ambiguous Statement

After the Valencia match, coach Hansi Flick mentioned that he had discussed various matters with Gündogan but kept the details private. “I’ve talked about many things with him; it’s between us. I have a good relationship with him,” Flick said. While he expressed a feeling that Gündogan would stay, he did not offer a definitive statement on the matter.

In summary, Gündogan’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain as the transfer window nears its end. Will he continue to be a key figure at the club, or will he be on his way out? Stay tuned as the situation develops.