Manchester City’s recent negotiations with Porto over Nico Gonzalez have hit a snag, with Porto demanding that the Premier League champions pay the Spaniard’s £50 million release clause to secure his transfer.
Despite this, Gonzalez is keen to join Manchester City before the winter transfer window shuts, having previously declined a move to the club as a teenager.
Pep Guardiola’s team is in dire need of a midfielder to cover for the injured Rodri, with neither Mateo Kovacic nor Ilkay Gundogan proving adequate replacements.
Fortunately for Manchester City fans, according to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, the club is optimistic about securing Gonzalez’s signature. Guardiola views the former Barcelona player as a capable temporary stand-in for Rodri.
TBR Football also reports that Manchester City anticipates Gonzalez will make an immediate impact if the deal goes through on Monday.
Given how highly the club values the 23-year-old, paying the £50 million release clause seems like a prudent move, especially with their top-four Premier League position still in jeopardy.
Guardiola has a preference for players who can adapt to various roles, much like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Manuel Akanji have done. Gonzalez, primarily a defensive midfielder, has shown versatility at Porto this season, playing in a double pivot or in more advanced midfield roles alongside Alan Varela, contributing significantly both defensively and offensively.
Should Manchester City sign Gonzalez, his ability to fit into different tactical setups could make him a key player under Guardiola.
David Ornstein: Man City pushing for deadline day midfield transfer
Manchester City are racing against time to finalize the transfer of Porto’s Nico Gonzalez before the transfer window closes. Although no deal has been confirmed yet, discussions are in progress as City seeks to enhance their midfield for the critical end of the season.
David Ornstein from The Athletic has highlighted Gonzalez as a key target for midfield support. At 23, Gonzalez’s versatility in playing both defensive and central midfield roles aligns perfectly with Pep Guardiola’s tactical needs.
Having risen through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Gonzalez featured in 37 matches for Barcelona before his move to Porto in 2023. At Porto, he’s become indispensable, with 68 appearances across all competitions.
The transfer negotiations are complicated by a 40% sell-on clause Barcelona still holds from Gonzalez’s €8.5 million transfer to Porto, which could impact the deal’s financial structure. With the deadline looming, City must consider these financial aspects while convincing Porto to release their midfield star.
Manchester City have already made several acquisitions this window, including defenders Vitor Reis, Juma Bah, and Abdukodir Khusanov, plus forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. Gonzalez’s potential addition would further deepen their squad, vital for their ambitions in various competitions.
For City supporters, the idea of bringing in Gonzalez is thrilling. Known for his technical prowess and tactical understanding, he could provide the much-needed stability in a midfield often stretched by injuries and rotation needs.
His multi-positional capabilities would give Guardiola additional options in team selection, especially useful with the careful management of Kevin De Bruyne’s playing time and Rodri’s heavy defensive responsibilities. Gonzalez could be a vital rotation player for intense matches.
The main challenge lies in negotiating with Porto this late in the transfer period. If an agreement is reached, Gonzalez’s arrival might prove to be a significant boost for Manchester City in their quest for success both domestically and in Europe.
