Ilkay Gundogan has explained his decision to leave Treble-winners Manchester City and join Barcelona on a free transfer.

Barcelona announced the signing of the Manchester City midfielder on Monday.

He was out of contract with City at the end of the month and agreed to join Barca on a two-year deal with the option for a third year.

City were reportedly unwilling to match Barca’s financial offer and would only extend Gundogan’s contract for one year with an option for a second.

Gundogan told The Players’ Tribune: “After the Treble, and after the spectacular parade in the Manchester rain, I thought to myself: How could it ever have worked out better than this? What more could you have achieved? How could you write something more perfect? And the answer was, You couldn’t.

“If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day.

“I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barcelona back to where they deserve to be.”

Photo Credit: FCBarcelona/Twitter

Tags: FC Barcelona, Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City

Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Ilkay Gundogan, it’s been claimed.

The Manchester City midfielder is set to become a free agent at the end of the month following the expiration of his contract at Eastlands.

Gundogan was offered a new one-year deal at the Etihad but snubbed the offer in order to move onto pastures new.

And according to reports, the Germany international has decided to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

It’s claimed Gundogan has inked a two-year deal at the Nou Camp with the option of a further 12 months.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, here we go!

“Final approval arrived on [the] club side to register him as [a] new signing, green light from the player.

“It’s done deal, signed [a] few minutes ago.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was hoping to lure the City fan favourite to the Emirates this summer to boost his side’s chances of Prem glory next season.

But the prospect of playing his football at the Nou Camp and winning a third domestic title in as many countries has seemingly been too much for the midfielder to resist.

“Gundogan has agreed a two-year deal valid until June 2025 with option for [a] further year.”

Barcelona’s reported snapping up of Gundogan will be a hammer blow to City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Tags: FC Barcelona, Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City