Guardiola couldn’t change his mind
Ilkay Gündogan immediately gave supporters of Spanish champions FC Barcelona hope of winning the Champions League for the first time since 2015. « I think after several years I have seen what it takes to win the Champions League, » Gündogan told Barcelona on Monday.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who won « top class » with Manchester City before his free transfer this summer, wants to « convey some ideas ». But he also pointed out, « There are things that get out of control. »
With Skriniar, Messi & Thuram: the most valuable free transfers in the world
20 | Marcus Thuram | 2023 | Market value: 32 million euros
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From Gladbach to Inter Milan
Data current as of July 6, 2023
20 | James Rodriguez | 2020 | Market value: 32 million euros
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From Real Madrid to Everton
13 I Paulo Dybala I 2022 I Market value: €35m
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From Juventus Turin to AS Roma
13 Lionel Messi I 2023 I Market value: €35m
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From PSG to Inter Miami
13 | Andreas Christensen | 2022 | Market value: 35 million euros
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From Chelsea FC to FC Barcelona
13 I Niklas Süle I 2022 I Market value: €35m
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From Bayern Munich to Borussia Dortmund
13 I Hakan Calhanoglu I 2021 I Market value: €35m
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From AC to Inter Milan
13 | Adrian Rabiot | 2019 | Market value: 35 million euros
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From Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus
13 | Michael Ballac | 2006 | Market value: 35 million euros
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From FC Bayern Munich to FC Chelsea
9 | Antonio Ruediger | 2022 | Market value: 40 million euros
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From Chelsea to Real Madrid
9 | Aaron Ramsey | 2019 | Market value: 40 million euros
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From Arsenal FC to Juventus Turin
9 | Leon Goretzka | 2018 | Market value: 40 million euros
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From FC Schalke 04 to FC Bayern Munich
9 | Stefan de Vrij | 2018 | Market value: 40 million euros
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From Lazio Roma to Inter Milan
7 I Memphis Depay I 2021 I Market value: €45m
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From Olympique Lyonnais to FC Barcelona
7 I Franck Kessié I 2022 I Market value: €45m
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From AC Milan to FC Barcelona
6 | Paul Pogba | 2022 | Market value: 48 million euros
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From Manchester United to Juventus
4 | Milan Skriniar | 2023 | Market value: 50 million euros
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From Inter Milan to PSG
4 | Robert Lewandowski | 2014 | Market value: 50 million euros
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From Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich
3 | David Alab | 2021 | Market value: 55 million euros
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From Bayern Munich to Real Madrid
2 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | 2021 | Market value: 60 million euros
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From AC Milan to Paris Saint Germain
1 | Lionel Messi | 2021 | Market value: 80 million euros
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From FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain
Gündogan also revealed that Barca striker Robert Lewandowski has increased his anticipation for Barcelona. After the test match between Germany and Poland in June in Warsaw (0-1), he spoke with the former professional from Dortmund and Bayern about Barcelona. « I was fascinated by the sparkle in his eyes when he talked about his life at Barcelona and about Barca, » Gündogan said.
However, Gündogan assured that he had already made the decision before this conversation to leave Manchester and move to national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s club. City coach Pep Guardiola couldn’t do anything to persuade him to stay because: « Everything was clear to me. »
FC Barcelona: Ilkay Gündogan was the first target of coach Xavi
During the official launch, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: « Gündogan was the first player that (coach) Xavi requested. » The former midfield strategist has been on the sidelines since November 2021. Club boss Laporta said of Gündogan: « Last season we won the league, Ilkay, but the goal is that we We are now playing for the Champions League title. »
Gündogan has signed a two-year contract with Barcelona until June 30, 2025 with an option for another season, the Catalans announced at the end of June. The fixed transfer fee is 400 million euros. The veteran moved from Borussia Dortmund to Man City in the summer of 2016 for 27 million euros and then played 304 games for the ‘Citizens’, during which he scored exactly 100 goals.
Gündogan ahead: Germans with the most Premier League goals
12 – Christian Ziege I for Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Tottenham I 15 goals
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As of June 4, 2023
11 – Michael Ballack I for Chelsea I 16 goals
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10 – André Schürrle I for Chelsea and Fulham I 17 goals
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8 – Kai Havertz I for Chelsea I 19 goals
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8 – Lukas Podolski I for Arsenal I 19 goals
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7 – Robert Huth I for Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Leicester City I 21 goals
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6 – Leroy Sané I for Man City I 25 goals
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5 – Pascal Great I for Brighton I 26 goals
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3 – Uwe Rösler I for Man City and Southampton I 29 goals
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3 – Jürgen Klinsmann I for Tottenham I 29 goals
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2 – Mesut Ozil I for Arsenal I 33 goals
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1 – Ilkay Gundogan I for Man City I 44 goals
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