The transfer market keeps generating surprises for Barça at the end of August. When it seemed that everything was settled, news from Manchester has once again disrupted the calm. Pep Guardiola has put a footballer who knows Camp Nou very well on the exit ramp.
The situation is unusual: it is a player with a Barça past, who left through the back door at the time. Now, with the market about to close, he is once again being mentioned as a possible reinforcement for Flick. However, the German coach's response has not taken long, and it is not exactly encouraging.
An unexpected offer from Manchester
City's coach has informed Barça's circle that its footballer is not part of the plans for the new season. The German believes it is time to make room in its squad, betting on younger signings. Among them, the arrival of Reijnders stands out, who has displaced several heavyweights in the English locker room.
Guardiola expected this move would spark immediate interest in Barcelona. After all, it is a profile with international experience and titles to its name. However, in the Catalan city, they have not forgotten how his departure unfolded just a year ago.
The offer has arrived directly at Laporta and Deco's offices, who are analyzing the proposal with caution. Although the player still has a reputation in Europe, the memory of his time at Barça weighs too heavily. Flick has made it clear that he will not be swayed by impulses in sports planning.
Flick shuts down any hope
The German coach, questioned about the situation, replied forcefully in a press conference after the morning training session. He acknowledged that he knows the player well, his career, and what he can bring on the field. But he also pointed out that, at this moment, his arrival would make no sense for the project.
Flick was clear:
"He's late. When he was here, he couldn't establish himself or respond to the club's trust."
A statement that reflects the firmness with which he approaches planning and his trust in the young players. For the coach, taking a step back in this process would be an unforgivable mistake.
Inside the locker room, it is also perceived that there is no gap in the position he occupies. With Dani Olmo, Pedri, Fermín López, or De Jong, Flick considers the midfield covered. In that sense, signing a veteran who already passed through the squad is not in his plans.
The memory of a gray era
This footballer's time at Camp Nou left both highlights and low points in a season marked by transition. He arrived as a star signing and a free agent, with the label of experienced leader in Barça's midfield. However, his performance fell short of expectations and he never managed to win over the fans.
The board decided to terminate his contract after an inconsistent year, freeing up salary space for other moves. At that time, few regretted his departure, convinced that the squad already had better-prepared replacements. Internally, it was considered a logical and necessary decision to move forward.
Now, the same player returns to the spotlight, once again offered by his current coach in England. But Barça's sporting situation is very different: Flick's project is consolidated and bets on continuity. The current locker room is built on young players who are growing at a dizzying pace and demanding prominence.
The mystery is finally revealed. The footballer discarded by Guardiola and offered to Barça is none other than İlkay Gündoğan. After returning to City and not finding his place, he is once again being mentioned in connection with the blaugrana club. But this time, Flick has closed any possibility with a blunt message: he's late and is not part of the plans.
Gündoğan's story with Barça seems to be definitively closed. What was once presented as a unique opportunity is now seen as an uncomfortable memory. The club, far from opening the door for him, keeps true to its new philosophy: betting on youth and potential.