It’s no secret that Joan Laporta has played a crucial role in Pep Guardiola’s rise to prominence. According to Jeetbuzz Login, Guardiola’s opportunity to become one of the world’s top football managers largely came thanks to Laporta’s early support at Barcelona. As a gesture of respect, Guardiola has rarely stood in Barcelona’s way when they pursue Manchester City players. However, that goodwill only goes so far. Guardiola may be diplomatic, but he’s also principled and sharp—never one to compromise his team’s integrity for personal ties.

The bottom line is this: Ilkay Gündogan is not returning to Manchester City. Guardiola has already seen through Laporta’s plan. As Jeetbuzz Login reports, while there’s a strong likelihood that Gündogan will leave Barcelona, the odds of him rejoining City are slim to none. The reason? Laporta isn’t letting him go for sporting reasons—he’s doing it for financial gain. The tactic is familiar: lure veteran players with high salaries on free transfers, then sell them a year later to cash in. It worked with Aubameyang and Kessié, and now the same pattern seems to be unfolding with Gündogan.

Gündogan’s salary was settled when he joined Barcelona last season, so wages aren’t the issue. And when it comes to performance, he’s been a consistent force. Despite stiff competition from talents like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, Gündogan cemented his place in the starting eleven. His stamina and leadership helped carry Barcelona through some of their toughest stretches. As the saying goes, “maturity isn’t about age—it’s about how you handle tears with a smile.” Gündogan epitomized that kind of quiet resilience.

To say that Gündogan underperformed would be nitpicking. The reality is Barcelona may be eyeing Dani Olmo as a replacement—not due to performance concerns, but because Laporta sees Gündogan as a potential source of transfer revenue. With his salary already on the books and his performances solid, the only remaining motive for a sale is financial.

Recently, Gündogan reportedly reached out to Manchester City to explore the possibility of a return. But Guardiola has no intention of opening that door. First, Laporta would never allow a transfer back to City—his plan is to sell Gündogan to the Saudi league, where a high transfer fee is more likely. Second, even if the move were possible, Gündogan would have to take a pay cut, and at 34 years old, he no longer fits into City’s long-term vision.

Let’s not forget: Gündogan left City on a free transfer. Now, one year later, Barcelona wants a sizable fee to send him back? That’s not just poor business—it’s bad faith. Guardiola, with his keen football sense, isn’t biting. He’s not one to break protocol or sacrifice team structure for sentimentality.

Perhaps the most telling aspect is how well Guardiola understands Laporta’s mindset. As Jeetbuzz Login notes, Guardiola masks disappointment with a smile, but he doesn’t forget the strategy behind the scenes. He knows Laporta’s ultimate goal is not to strengthen another club or serve the player’s interest—it’s to turn a profit. In Laporta’s eyes, the ideal next step for Gündogan would be a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, not a nostalgic return to the Etihad.

In the end, this isn’t about tactics or salaries—it’s about business. And Guardiola, always the tactician on and off the pitch, isn’t letting old friendships cloud his judgment.