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Ilkay Gundogan Set for Man City Return after Reportedly Agreeing to Leave Barcelona

Germany's midfielder #21 Ilkay Gundogan is pictured prior to the international friendly football match between Germany and Greece in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on June 7, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's midfielder #21 Ilkay Gundogan is pictured prior to the international friendly football match between Germany and Greece in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on June 7, 2024. (AFP)
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Ilkay Gundogan Set for Man City Return after Reportedly Agreeing to Leave Barcelona

Germany's midfielder #21 Ilkay Gundogan is pictured prior to the international friendly football match between Germany and Greece in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on June 7, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's midfielder #21 Ilkay Gundogan is pictured prior to the international friendly football match between Germany and Greece in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on June 7, 2024. (AFP)

Manchester City and Ilkay Gundogan look set to be reunited.

The former Germany midfielder was pictured at the airport on Wednesday and was reportedly catching a flight from Barcelona to Manchester to wrap up his return to City on a one-year deal, with the option of another 12 months.

Neither City nor Barcelona have commented publicly on any deal for the 33-year-old Gundogan.

Gundogan left City after the 2022-23 season, during which he was captain of the team that won the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League treble. He spent seven years at the English club but decided to move to Barcelon a for a new challenge, and was one of Xavi Hernández’s favorite players during his sole season with the Catalan club.

But Barcelona’s delicate economic situation appears to have forced the new coach, Hansi Flick, to part ways with the veteran playmaker.

Gundogan’s exit should help Barcelona register new midfielder Dani Olmo, which it has so far been unable to do because of the Spanish league’s financial rules that make clubs balance expenditures on wages and transfers with available assets.

In addition to Olmo, Barcelona also has depth in the creative midfield positions with Pedri González, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin López and, once he recovers from his serious leg injury, Gavi Páez.

Gundogan was Germany's captain at the recent European Championship. He retired from international duty this week.

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Verstappen Needs a Home Win to End Losing Streak 

Max Verstappen. (Reuters)
Max Verstappen. (Reuters)
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Verstappen Needs a Home Win to End Losing Streak 

Max Verstappen. (Reuters)
Max Verstappen. (Reuters)

Max Verstappen has won every Dutch Grand Prix from pole position since his home race returned to the Formula One calendar in 2021 but Red Bull's triple world champion faces a tough test this weekend.

Zandvoort has become a seaside party for Verstappen's revved-up Orange Army but this time the 26-year-old is on his longest losing streak in four years.

Mercedes have won three of the last four races and Verstappen, who leads by 78 points with 10 rounds remaining, has not stood on top of the podium since Spain on June 23.

In fact, he has had only one podium appearance since Barcelona.

Sunday will be Verstappen's 200th start in Formula One, making him the youngest driver to reach that milestone, and the only F1 winner at Zandvoort in his own lifetime wants to make it even more memorable.

"It is always a fantastic atmosphere, and the fans are incredible, so it is a special one for me," he said, declaring himself refreshed and ready for the second half of the season after the August break.

"We are looking forward to the week ahead and hopefully we can be fighting for the win."

Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, the only driver from the top four teams yet to win this season, has a new race engineer with regular Hugh Bird going on paternity leave and Richard Wood standing in.

"I know what we can extract from the car in the coming weeks and we will do our best to maximize the second half of 2024," said Perez, whose poor form has put Red Bull at risk in the constructors' standings.

McLaren are only 42 points adrift with Australian Oscar Piastri taking a win and two seconds from his last four races while British teammate Lando Norris remains second overall despite costly mistakes.

HAMILTON REVIVAL

Mercedes' seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton has won two of the last three, after teammate George Russell was disqualified from first in Belgium just before the break.

The 39-year-old Ferrari-bound Briton has scored more points than any driver in the last four races but is 127 behind Verstappen.

"We know we have ground to make up. We are not yet able to compete for victories at every Grand Prix," team boss Toto Wolff cautioned.

"We have made good steps in improving the W15's weaknesses though and will continue to work hard to take more. If we can do so, then we will close the gap to those ahead in both championships."

Ferrari's campaign may be firing up again too, with Monaco winner Charles Leclerc on pole again in Belgium and finishing third after fourth place in Hungary.

With a home race at Monza immediately after Zandvoort, the Ferrari fans will be looking for positive signs.

Further back, Renault-owned Alpine will mark a year since their last podium appearance and with a new team boss -- Oliver Oakes -- making his debut as replacement for Bruno Famin.