Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given his seal of approval for the club’s move to sign Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Guardiola has already approved the deal, and talks are underway with Gundogan’s camp.
Gundogan, who left Manchester City last summer as a free agent, is now available to leave Barcelona, with the LaLiga club willing to let him go. The German midfielder has been linked with a return to the Premier League champions, and it appears that a deal is in the works.
Romano revealed on X: “Understand Pep Guardiola has already approved Ilkay Gündogan’s return to Manchester City. Pep wants Gündo back as talks are now taking place with his camp, first contact made yesterday. Decision up to Gündogan as he has proposals also from Saudi/Qatar; Man City, on it.”
Gundogan’s potential return to Manchester City would be a significant boost to the team, bringing back a familiar face and a player who knows Guardiola’s system well. With alternative offers from Saudi and Qatari clubs, Gundogan has options, but Manchester City’s interest and Guardiola’s approval make a compelling case for a return to the Etihad Stadium.
As the transfer window heats up, Manchester City’s move for Gundogan is one to watch, with the potential for a swift deal given Guardiola’s approval and the player’s availability.
Savinho of Manchester City runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC …
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Manchester City supporters would have been ecstatic to witness Pep Guardiola field both Jeremy Doku and Savinho in the same side against Chelsea.
City have lacked two direct and fast wingers in their side since the days of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
Based on the duo’s display in the Sky Blues’ 2-0 win against Chelsea, it seems like plenty of defences in the Premier League are set to have a nightmare keeping them at bay.
Doku and Savinho beat Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella respectively on multiple occasions on Sunday — despite the Blues’ full-back pair being known to be solid defensively.
However, unlike the Belgian international, who is into his second season at the Etihad Stadium, the 20-year-old was making his Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge.
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City controls the ball whilst under pressure from Malo Gusto of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea F…
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Doku raves about Savinho after Man City beat Chelsea
Furthermore, when Doku was up against Cucurella while initially playing as a right-winger, he struggled to impact proceedings.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion defender was coming off a spectacular international campaign for Spain as he emerged as the standout left-back at Euro 2024.
However, as soon as the Brazilian shifted to the right flank, the goodwill that the 26-year-old earned from his performances in a Spanish shirt may have been lost amongst some after witnessing him get torn apart by a Premier League debutant.
After Manchester City defeated Chelsea, Doku expressed how impressed he was by Savinho instantly performing as well as he did in a big game on his Premier League debut.
The former Rennes winger’s first start emerged against Fulham last season, against whom he has now admitted he was feeling the nerves.
As quoted by Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, he said: “As a dribbler I like it when players take on their man. Savinho is a player that does that and takes a lot of risks.”
“I remember my first game. I was stressed a lot so coming here and starting your first game against Chelsea and putting in that sort of performance…congratulations to him, I respect that a lot and I think there is still more to come from him. We’re very happy to have him with us.”
Pep Guardiola’s verdict on Savinho was similar to Doku, as he too was particularly impressed by his instant impact against one of the best teams in the Premier League.
Savinho could have even more potential than Jeremy Doku
Both Doku and Savinho are exceptionally talented wingers.
But the latter could have more potential than the 22-year-old due to a few factors.
Firstly, Savinho’s decision-making seems far more refined than Doku’s — as evidenced by his showing against Chelsea — making him unpredictable for the opposition defence.
Secondly, the former Troyes wideman is a superior creator to the Premier League champion — assisting 10 goals in La Liga last season and having a better final ball than Doku as a whole.
Being two years younger than the Antwerp-born speedster as well, he might have a higher ceiling.
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