Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has responded angrily to remarks made by Ilkay Gundogan over his move back to Manchester City.
German midfielder Gundogan left City last summer following seven trophy-filled years under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage. He made the decision to sign with Spanish La Liga powerhouse Barcelona after leaving the Premier League.
Gundogan was reported to have returned to City last month after learning that his playing time at Barcelona would be restricted.
After re-signing for the Etihad club, he said in a statement: “Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.”
Laporta has since denied Gundogan’s claims that his departure was financially driven.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Laporta said: “Ilkay Gündogan is an excellent player and person. The year we have had with him has been fantastic,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.
“After a meeting with Flick and assessing the situation of the squad, he decided that he wanted to leave. It is a sporting decision, exclusively. With the incorporation of Dani Olmo, he was a player who performs a similar function to that of Gündo.”
He added: “It was a sporting decision of the player and the club. I have heard that it is a financial decision, but no. It’s a sporting decision, by Barça, by Gündogan and by City because he has been brought back.
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“At the time, Gündo came without a transfer fee and it was only fair that there was no transfer fee. It has had an economic impact, but the reason has been a sporting decision.”
When asked about Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, Laporta added: “When Deco and Flick planned the squad, they have decided not to include them [Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix]. They were on loan and have gone separate ways. Felix is at Chelsea and Cancelo is in Saudi Arabia.”
