This week, Pep Guardiola has been quite the man about town, exuding an extra bounce in his step. Following Manchester City’s impressive season opener against Chelsea where they controlled the game with ease, Guardiola decided to pay a visit to one of his favorite spots, Salut Wines. Located just a short distance from Guardiola’s residence near the cathedral, Salut Wines is where he found himself on Monday evening, full of cheer as he contemplated the imminent return of an old neighbor he holds dear in his memories, Ilkay Gundogan. As Guardiola browsed through the selection at Salut Wines, it was evident that he was in the mood to celebrate. Splurging on a couple of top-notch reds and some fine wine from their special temperature-controlled fridge, Guardiola’s purchase amounted to around £500. It was truly a special occasion, especially considering the unexpected nature of Gundogan’s potential return. Despite some final details that needed ironing out, City wasted no time once Barcelona indicated their desire to offload Gundogan’s hefty wages of over £200,000 a week. The pieces were falling into place for Guardiola and Manchester City.

Ilkay Gundogan has been persuaded by Pep Guardiola to extend his contract with Manchester City.

Guardiola expressed his desire for a midfielder, and soon after, Gundogan became an option for the team.

Guardiola recently visited Tast Restaurant, which he co-owns, to celebrate Gundogan’s return with a generous £500 worth of wine. The group, including Soriano and Begiristain, gathered at the Catalan eatery to mark Gundogan’s renewal on a one-year deal. The midfielder’s free transfer is expected to be finalized by Friday. It has been an eventful few days for Guardiola, who expressed a desire to strengthen the team’s midfield. Securing Gundogan’s return was a priority, considering the player’s importance both on and off the field. The midfielder’s emotional connection to City was evident when he tearfully celebrated their Champions League victory in Istanbul. Gundogan’s decision to leave Barcelona in 2023 was partly due to the contract length and a desire for a change of scenery. Moving to a city with better weather appealed to him and his family, especially after the challenges faced at the Nou Camp. Despite initial reservations, Gundogan’s wife Sara came to appreciate Manchester and even missed the city and friends after their departure. The midfielder himself always felt a strong connection to Manchester, seeing parallels between the city’s industrial roots and his hometown in Germany. Gundogan’s introspective nature sometimes leads him to question his own decisions, despite his generous contributions to various causes in Manchester. While the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia may not have been appealing, a return to Turkey, his parents’ home country, remains a possibility in the future. Guardiola and Gundogan have shared a long-standing relationship since the midfielder’s arrival at the Etihad in 2016. Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, they have celebrated many successes together, including winning multiple trophies for the club.

In an interview with Mail Sport, Sara, Gundogan’s wife, confessed to feeling nostalgic for Manchester.

Gundogan has proven to be a key player for Guardiola in midfield, showing a deep understanding of his manager’s tactics. As Guardiola’s first signing, he may also end up being his last if they decide not to bring in a forward to replace Julian Alvarez. It’s a poetic notion that seems to perfectly capture their relationship. Gundogan is not just a player on the field, but also the organizer and brain behind their tempo. He has scored some memorable goals, like the quickest one in FA Cup final history in 2023 and a brace against Aston Villa in a crucial match in 2022. In 2021, he even transformed himself into a false nine, scoring 13 goals and playing a vital role in securing the title for his team.

Smart players have the ability to excel in any situation. Gundogan seems to always be present in key moments, almost like a ghost seamlessly blending in. Even at the age of 33, he still has plenty to offer. Not too long ago, he seemed to be a shadow during City’s pre-season tour in the US, being in the same locations as his former teammates but not crossing paths with them. When they finally did reunite before a match against Barca in Orlando, their warm greetings showed how much they missed each other. Guardiola was reluctant to let him go in the tunnel, a clear sign of how valued Gundogan is. This transfer does bring into question the impact it may have on James McAtee’s growth, but it also fills a void in leadership left by Gundogan last season. His behind-the-scenes work and occasional displays of fiery passion make him a valuable asset in the squad. As he once admitted, it takes a lot to anger him, but when he reaches that point, he can explode. Holding in his emotions may not always be the best approach for him.

Barcelona were looking to offload Gundogan and his hefty weekly salary of over £200,000, catching the attention of City.

Gundogan played a pivotal role in City’s triple triumph in 2022-23, showcasing exceptional leadership qualities. Barcelona’s players learned this lesson the hard way during a defeat to Real Madrid, reminiscent of a previous incident at Wembley in 2021. Following a disappointing FA Cup loss to Chelsea, Gundogan had to intervene when a player was distracted by their phone, causing a rift between the starting and non-starting players. Teammate Fernandinho helped Gundogan address the issue by holding meetings with players to refocus their collective mindset. Gundogan offered his guidance to teammates, and together they requested more team rotation from Guardiola to keep everyone engaged. Two weeks later, they secured a victory against Paris Saint-Germain, setting the stage for a harmonious display of teamwork during a match against Crystal Palace. Despite the absence of a crowd, the energy and camaraderie from City’s bench, led by Gundogan, were infectious. His ability to connect with both Guardiola and his teammates demonstrates his unique understanding of the game and the people involved.