Barcelona travelled to Valencia on Saturday 17 August for their first La Liga match of the 2024/25 season, with one significant absence from their squad.
Midfielder Ilkay Gündogan was left out of the squad that travelled to Mestalla for the league clash against Rubén Baraja’s team, as Barça claimed the German international had physical problems.
However, it now appears Gundogan may have played his last game for the club.
A report from Sport Just hours before the match against Valencia was due to start, it was reported that Gundogan had informed Barça that he wanted to leave before the end of the transfer window.
Tomas Andreu wrote that the former Manchester City star has told manager Hansi Flick and his coaching staff, as well as club officials, that he wants to move elsewhere before September.
There have been rumours for a few weeks now that Gundogan could be on the cards. Although he was one of Barça’s standout players in the 2023/24 season, the fact that he turns 34 in October, coupled with the imminent return of Pedri from injury and the arrival of new signing Dani Olmo, mean that Barça are not opposed to his departure.
Furthermore, the Catalans are desperate to raise funds to ease their financial crisis, and with Gundogan’s contract expiring on June 30 next year, they must sell the player now or risk losing him for nothing in 2025.
