Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Ilkay Gundogan, with the German set to make a shock return to the club where he spent seven years.
The Premier League champions moved quickly to secure his signing once news emerged that Barcelona were willing to move the player on, and Gundogan is understood to have agreed terms with City.
The signing is expected to be announced before Saturday’s game against Ipswich Town, meaning there’s a slight chance the 33-year-old could even make an appearance at the Etihad this weekend.
Gundogan’s expected return will boost Guardiola’s midfield options, which could have a negative impact on the playing time afforded to the likes of Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee, who impressed in pre-season.
Midfield has been identified as an area that needed strengthening due to the lack of cover for Rodri, an area Gundogan will help with. That could also result in less playing time for Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic at the base of midfield, with the latter occupying that role at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
But it’s a position as a traditional no.8 that Gundogan will most likely occupy - assuming the transfer goes through. It’s a role he played predominantly during his first spell at the club, with an expectation that the ex-Borussia Dortmund star will help City defensively but also offer an attacking threat.
Gundogan scored eight Premier League goals in his final season in Manchester, and his specific skills might allow Guardiola to revert to a similar style to the 2022/23 treble-winning season, a campaign where Gundogan played 51 times.
With all that in mind, here’s what impact we think the signing could have on City’s first-choice XI, and how it could change the roles of certain players in the team.
1. GK: Ederson
Guardiola confirmed Ederson is first-choice keeper, and is one player who won't be massively affected by Gundogan's return.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Should still be a regular in the side regardless of Gundogan's return, but his status as first-team captain might come under threat.
3. CB: John Stones
In Gundogan's final season at City, Stones tended to push up from centre-back alongside Rodri in midfield. If Guardiola were to revert to that set-up, it could suit the German's penchant for for timing runs into the opposition box.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Will be a regular feature in City's back four this season, as will fellow defender Manuel Akanji.