The 33-year-old German moved back to the Etihad last month after just a year with the Catalan club.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has firmly denied that Ilkay Gundogan’s departure was due to financial pressures, asserting that it was a sporting decision. Gundogan’s return to Manchester City just a year after joining Barcelona has sparked speculation about the club's financial stability, particularly as LaLiga’s 1:1 rule limits spending based on revenue generated.
Laporta addressed these concerns at a press conference, clarifying that Gundogan’s move was not financially motivated. “After a meeting with new coach Hansi Flick and evaluating the squad’s needs, Gundogan decided he wanted to leave,” Laporta explained. “The signing of Dani Olmo, who performs a similar role to Gundogan, influenced this decision.”
He emphasized that Gundogan’s departure was mutually agreed upon by Barcelona, Gundogan, and Manchester City. “I’ve heard claims that this was a financial decision, but that’s not accurate. It was a sporting decision. Gundogan came to us without a transfer fee, so it was only fair that he left without one,” Laporta stated.
Barcelona has faced significant financial challenges, with the club’s debt reaching one billion euros (GBP 842 million) in 2021, which notably impacted their ability to re-sign Lionel Messi. However, Laporta is optimistic about the club’s financial recovery. “We are currently 60 million euros away from meeting the 1:1 rule,” he said. “We have several strategies in place to raise this amount and I am confident that we will achieve compliance in the coming months.”
Laporta’s remarks reflect a commitment to resolving Barcelona’s financial issues while focusing on strengthening the team’s competitive standing.
