Ex-Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has lifted the lid on his departure at the end of last season, admitting that he was unable to bid farewell to his former employers in person.
The German midfielder departed the Etihad after lifting a historic Treble, having spent seven years at City as Pep Guardiola's first ever signing at the club.
He was quickly snapped up by cash-strapped Barcelona on a free transfer, fending off interest from Arsenal, but there was a time when it looked likely he could stay on in Manchester.