Football is facing the biggest comeback transfer story since Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021.

Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola’s first signing for the club, the man who scored two goals in the last fifteen minutes to secure City’s league title on the final day of the 2021/22 season, the man who led City to the treble, returns to the club from Barcelona on a one-year contract with an option to extend for a further twelve months.

Barca have had a reputation for poorly managing their finances recently and, having just signed Dani Olmo for €60 million, they need to make room in their squad to sign him.

Given that Gündogan is 33 years old, earns a high salary and is considered more expendable than academy graduates Pedri and Gavi, Barcelona are desperate to get rid of him in order to sign Olmo for the players and are therefore letting Gündogan go for free.

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At first, the prospect of Gündogan returning to City was a case of “what if”. But when people thought about it logically, it became clear that it would actually make sense as a football transfer, even without taking the sentimentality into account.

It is known that City are looking for a player who is comfortable at number six or eight and does not expect guaranteed playing time.

They need to be confident on the ball and comfortable with the style of possession football Pep Guardiola wants to play. Ideally, they will also have Premier League experience and be able to contribute in the dressing room through strong leadership and communication.

Gündogan meets all of these criteria. Nevertheless, it seemed unlikely that City would pursue him.

That was until Pol Ballus of The Athletic revealed that the Blues were seriously considering it. Soon the likes of Fabrizio Romano, David Ornstein, Sam Lee, Jack Gaughan and Gerard Romero jumped on the bandwagon and the deal moved forward.

Guardiola has given his blessing to the re-signing of his former captain. Gündogan was keen to go through with the move and was particularly keen to maintain contact with City. Barcelona need to get rid of him and are happy to do so for no fee. Gündogan will meet exactly what City need in terms of a new midfielder.

Even without sentimental reasons, it seems to be the perfect handover for everyone involved.

Add to that the fact that one of the greatest players in City’s history is returning to the club after leading them to the treble, and a reunion with his former team-mates, and the story is complete.

After Romano all but confirmed the transfer with his famous catchphrase “Here We Go”, City fans can finally celebrate the return of one of the best players in their history.

The impending arrival of Gundogan will immediately improve the quality of City’s midfield and will likely bring him straight back into the leadership group, albeit not as captain.

He is not expected to start as many games as he did in his last season for the club, as he now has a wider range of players to choose from who can play in central midfield.

If Rodri is fit and ready, he is guaranteed to start in midfield as there are two free spots in front of him. Gundogan would be one of those options, alongside Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly.

There is plenty of room for rest and rotation between all of these options, and all of these options will likely get a fair amount of playing time this season.

Gundogan, Kovacic and O’Reilly can all play as defensive midfielders if Rodri needs a rest, which should hopefully lead to an increase in the number of games the 28-year-old gets a rest in this season.

Even if he only stays for a year, Gundogan’s impact on the team will be significant, especially on youngsters McAtee and O’Reilly, as well as Rico Lewis if he ever plays in central midfield, as he guides them in training to pass the baton when he, Bernardo and De Bruyne eventually leave.

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If Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Guardiola leave the club next summer (and there is a possibility that they all leave), it will be a summer of transition for City as they need new midfield options to freshen up the young players and give them more responsibility.

The German’s arrival this summer will help to ease the transition somewhat by better preparing the young players to take over, while also potentially giving the club a familiar face should he stay longer than Guardiola.

But for now, all we can focus on this weekend is Ipswich Town, where Gundogan will likely be given a royal welcome at a packed Etihad Stadium, whether he’s playing or just attending his performance.

We can now be excited, City fans, because Ilkay Gündogan is back where he belongs.

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