Manchester City Closing in on Porto Midfielder Nico Gonzalez

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Manchester City are edging closer to securing a deal for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez as the transfer deadline approaches.

While talks between the two clubs remain ongoing, City are optimistic about finalizing the transfer before the 11 PM deadline. Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block.

Despite City’s interest, they are unwilling to meet Gonzalez’s £50 million release clause. The 23-year-old remains in Porto’s squad for their match against Rio Ave on Monday night, indicating that a deal is still in progress.

Reinforcements for City’s Midfield

Pep Guardiola’s side has already spent £130 million this transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis.

However, they are still in search of a reliable No. 6 to bolster their midfield.

City had previously explored the possibility of signing Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa, but that deal now seems unlikely. With Gonzalez emerging as a prime target, the club appears set to continue their January spending spree.

Gonzalez, who began his career in Barcelona’s academy, made 27 senior appearances for the Catalan giants before joining Porto for €8.5 million in 2023.

However, negotiations involve a key financial element—Barcelona is entitled to 40% of any transfer fee Porto receives for the midfielder. The Portuguese club has an option to buy back 20% of that share, reducing Barcelona’s cut to 20%.

Expert Opinions: Is Gonzalez the Right Fit?

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson remains skeptical about the potential signing, questioning whether Gonzalez would make a significant impact:


I’ve not seen this lad play, but they need midfield reinforcements. People say it’s not just Rodri—they’re wrong. It is just Rodri. He reads danger, stays disciplined, and protects the backline while progressing play efficiently.

Merson also raised concerns about City’s squad depth, suggesting that Gonzalez could struggle for playing time once Rodri is fit:

If Gonzalez comes in for £50m, as soon as Rodri’s fit, that’s it. He won’t play. Unless you play them together, but I don’t see the need for that. By the start of next season, he’s on the bench on big wages, while City may have to offload young talents like James McAtee to meet financial fair play rules.

Tim Sherwood echoed similar doubts, highlighting the risks of signing a player from the Portuguese league in January:


What exactly are City signing Gonzalez for? If he’s not better than what they’ve got, will he really help them beat Real Madrid in the Champions League? That’s their only real objective now. Unless you’re getting a guaranteed upgrade, it’s a big risk.

However, not all analysts are convinced this is a panic buy. European football expert Kevin Hatchard believes Gonzalez could be a strong addition to City’s squad:


He’s an absolute fit. Guardiola has admired him for some time. He’s a player City have tracked since his youth days at Barcelona, and he’s matured at Porto. He has the potential to be a really good player in Guardiola’s system.

Statman Dave also sees potential in the move, drawing comparisons between Gonzalez and Rodri:


He fits in perfectly. He’s tall, composed on the ball, and came through Barcelona’s academy. He’s still developing, but City need another body in defensive midfield. We saw how bad their rest defense was against Arsenal—how many times were they caught three-on-two? Gonzalez can help address that issue.

A Smart Move or a Panic Buy?

Manchester City’s midfield has struggled without Rodri this season, making a backup defensive midfielder a logical addition.

However, the question remains—will Gonzalez be a long-term solution or just an expensive squad player?

With just hours left before the transfer deadline, City must decide whether Gonzalez is the right fit or if their search for midfield reinforcements will continue into the summer.

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