Manchester City are close to completing a deal to re-sign Ilkay Gündogan, a source has told ESPN.
Gündogan will leave Barcelona after just one year and return to the Etihad Stadium, where he spent seven highly successful seasons before moving to Spain last summer.
The midfielder will travel to Manchester on Wednesday and an official announcement is expected to be made before the weekend. Gündogan could make his second debut for the club against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
City have been quick to secure Gündogan, who had two years left on his Barcelona contract. He is willing to sign a one-year deal to rejoin Pep Guardiola's side with the option for a further year.
A source told ESPN that there will be no payment involved and that Gündogan's short spell at Barcelona will come to an end by mutual agreement.
The 33-year-old was also the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, particularly Al Nassr, but decided to return to City after talks with head coach Pep Guardiola.
The couple have previously lived in the same building in Manchester and have a close personal relationship off the pitch.
Gündogan, who announced his retirement from the Germany national team on Monday, made more than 300 appearances for City between 2016 and 2023. He won 12 major trophies during his first spell with City, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.
City were keen on him staying last summer before he left on a free transfer. Gündogan turned down several contract offers, as well as interest from Arsenal, to join Barcelona.
He made 51 appearances in all competitions last season but was allowed to leave the club to ease its financial problems following the arrival of attacking midfielder Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.
