Ilkay Gundogan has opened up on his decision to leave Manchester City and sign for Barcelona this summer.
Gundogan captained Manchester City to treble success under Pep Guardiola last season, but turned down the offer of a contract extension to leave the club on a free transfer.
The Germany international reportedly had contract offers from both City and Premier League rivals Arsenal, though turned down those proposals in favour of signing for Spanish champions Barcelona.
The 32-year-old – who made 304 appearances and won five Premier League titles during his seven seasons at the Etihad – has denied his decision to leave was based on the length of contract on offer, instead revealing that the chance to sign for Barcelona represented a ‘childhood dream’.
“I’m honest, and many people don’t know this, in the end, it wasn’t about a year or two,” he told Bild.
“There was no problem with the running time. City waited a relatively long time until the talks really intensified. If this had happened a little earlier, the situation would have been different.
“So in the end it was the perfect ending, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.”
