Ilkay Gundogan has reportedly told a relative he doesn’t understand how he lived in Manchester for seven years.

The German midfielder moved to Barcelona in the summer after a hugely decorated spell with Manchester City.

Gundogan won 14 trophies during his seven seasons at the Etihad – including five Premier League titles – and was captain as City won the Treble last season. 

However, according to Spanish outlet Sport, Gundogan’s move to Barcelona has given him a new perspective on his time in England.

Ilkay Gundogan told a relative he doesn’t know how he lived in Manchester for seven years

Gundogan and his wife Sara Arfaoui have set up a new life in Barcelona since his summer move

The report goes onto state that while the 33-year-old will always be grateful to his former club, he informed a relative that since discovering Barcelona and developing a new lifestyle, he doesn’t know how he spent such a long time in Manchester.

This report comes after Gundogan’s wife, Sara Arfaoui, last year slammed the city’s restaurants as ‘horrible’.

Arfaoui – who married Gundogan in 2022 – had been asked on Instagram what her favourite restaurants in the city was.

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She had replied: ‘Sorry I’m sad to be honest but nothing. I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.

‘Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food .. everything frozen.

Gundogan’s wife, Arfaoui, had last year slammed Manchester’s restaurants as ‘horrible’

Gundogan scored his first Barcelona goal in their 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday

‘Restaurants here are just focus on making money with drinks and shot like night clubs not quality food. Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.’

Gundogan’s comments in the Spanish media about enjoying Barcelona come despite reports yesterday that the club apologised to him and his wife after making them feel ‘abandoned’ following their arrival. 

The report claimed Gundogan had complained to the club that he was disappointed with the amount of support he received when he was settling in. 

He expected to receive more help with things such as housing, transport, and care for his family and let his feelings be known as a result.