Renewing Ilkay Gundogan’s contract is an obvious and logical decision for Manchester City, but Barcelona once again make themselves seem foolish. GOAL evaluates the most significant transactions during the 2024 summer transfer window.

Throughout the summer, GOAL will be assigning ratings to the most significant transfers from various countries.
For certain football enthusiasts, the off-season is the period of time on the calendar that they anticipate the most, as it signifies one thing: the commencement of transfers! Despite the impending close of the transfer market, prominent players are still being associated with top-tier teams, fuelling intense speculation.
It is well acknowledged that certain transfers result in favourable outcomes for all parties concerned. However, there are several instances where either one of the clubs or even the player themselves are left pondering the potential consequences of making an alternative decision throughout the negotiation process.
The objective is to guarantee that you are aware of the most successful outcome of any significant transaction before the contracts are finalised. During the summer transfer window, we will evaluate and assess every completed move as it occurs, enabling you to monitor the significant beneficiaries and casualties of the transfer season.
Please review the most recent grades provided below and share your thoughts in the comments area…

On August 21, Ilkay Gundogan transferred from Barcelona to Manchester City without any transfer fee.
Barcelona’s performance was quite humiliating. One year after successfully persuading one of the top midfielders in the world to reject higher salary offers from other clubs and join Barcelona, the team has been forced to remove Gundogan from their payroll due to their own financial difficulties. Despite being the team’s top performer last season, contributing 14 assists in all competitions, the former Germany international had to be let go in order to enable the financially constrained Catalans to make their sole significant summer acquisition, Dani Olmo. Barcelona allowed Gundogan to depart without receiving any compensation, despite having two years remaining on his contract. This decision highlights Barcelona’s lack of seriousness and the chaotic state of the organisation. Grade: Fail

Manchester City’s return is both surprising and highly appreciated. Despite Gundogan’s absence, City triumphed in the Premier League last season. However, there were instances when they felt the absence of Gundogan’s prowess in crucial matches, as Kyle Walker humorously remarked that Gundogan transformed into a formidable player akin to “prime Zinedine Zidane” during the decisive phase of the season. Is Gundogan expected to be a consistent presence this time? Unlikely, but based on his performance at Barcelona last season and during Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign, he still possesses the necessary skill and competitive mindset to excel at the greatest level. Pep Guardiola is reportedly thrilled to have Gundogan back, which really conveys the entire sentiment. Despite his current age of 33, it was an obvious decision for City to re-sign their captain who led them to win three major titles, and do so without having to pay a transfer fee. Grade: B plus

Gundogan has the finest possible alternative. Gundogan evidently expressed a strong desire to remain at Barcelona. He departed from the City at an opportune moment, following the triumphant achievement of winning three major titles, and was determined to embrace a fresh endeavour in significantly sunnier locations. Since he was a child, he had held a deep admiration for Barcelona, making it a dream come true for him when he finally moved there. Nevertheless, the club’s persistent financial issues have become a recurring source of distress, ultimately leading to his unavoidable departure. Gundogan had the option to choose another place, but he has decided to stay as a strong competitor who rightfully feels that he still possesses a significant amount of skills to contribute at the highest standard. Without a doubt, Bruno Fernandes was the only player who generated more opportunities than Gundogan in the top five European leagues last season. He should seamlessly reintegrate into Guardiola’s squad. Grade: Excellent