Barcelona president Joan Laporta has set the record straight on Ilkay Gundogan's surprising departure from the club this summer, insisting that it was purely a "sporting decision" and not financially motivated.
The German midfielder, who left Barcelona after just one season to return to Manchester City, had hinted in his farewell message that his exit was meant to ease the club's financial burden.
"Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad," Gundogan said last month, sparking speculation that economic factors played a key role in his decision.
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Laporta's clarification on Gundogan's exit
However, during a recent press conference, Laporta dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the decision to part ways with Gundogan was made solely based on the club's sporting needs.
"Ilkay Gundogan is an excellent player and a great person. The year we have been with him has been fantastic," Laporta stated. He explained that the arrival of Dani Olmo, who plays a similar role, made Gundogan's future at the club uncertain.
"It was a sporting decision, exclusively," Laporta added, clarifying that both the player and the club agreed on the move. "I’ve heard that it’s an economic decision, but no," he reiterated, aiming to put an end to the rumors.
Laporta also took the opportunity to address concerns about Barcelona's financial health and the potential sale of key players.
He assured fans that there were no plans to offload stars like Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, or Ansu Fati, despite ongoing financial challenges. "We didn’t plan to sell these players. We think they can give Barca many matches of glory," he asserted.
As Laporta faces scrutiny from supporters over the club's handling of finances and transfer decisions, his latest comments on Gundogan's exit are likely to spark further debate among the Barcelona faithful.