Quote from: JeffBrad12 on Today at 04:41:11 PM

Quote from: slapper on June 18, 2023, 02:48:53 PM

I perceive that Barcelona's journey to restore its past glory, especially reminiscing about the Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta period, is a long-term project. While the club holds the reigning Laliga championship title, which they are undoubtedly keen to defend, their immediate future does not seem to feature a UEFA Champions League trophy. As a neutral fan, I feel that Barcelona, under the leadership of Xavi Hernandez, is still in the developmental phase and lacks the wherewithal to become a major European contender by next year.

It may take years for barcelona to be able compete in UCL. Xavi is considering signing Gundogan but he has not yet made a decision on what steps to take next..
Barcelona has so many young talented players but it lacks of experience player now. Since busquets and alba have been leaving from the club and xavi is now confusing to find best replacement for all of them.
The young talented players need also senior players to backup them. It's a difficult situation for barcelona right now since some players refusing to leave from the club. They were trying to stay in the club even longer.
So far, no money has been raised from selling the players.

Quote

Pep Guardiola hopes Manchester City extend Ilkay Gundogan's stay but claimed that he will be an excellent addition to the Barcelona squad.

source; https://www.goal.com/en/news/pep-guardiola-ilkay-gundogan-stays-man-city-extraordinary-signing-barcelona/bltcaff4a31f089c901

I find it a bit weird that Pep Guardiola says that sentence. I thought Guardiola will try even harder to keep him after he has played such an excellent season. Is it really about the issue that Gundogan wants two years contract and Manchester City will only give him one year? If he can preserve that level I would immediately give him a two year contract if I were the manager. Guardiola often emphasizes how much he likes Gudogan, but I think by now he says that about everyone but is still willing to let them go if the negotiations don't go in favor of the club. But again I think that Gundogan improved even further and he is so reliable during the game, he is not making mistakes and he increased his striking as well. If Gudogan leaves Manchester City and joins Barcelona then the Champions League title in 20"§ was the last one for him.