Manchester City and Pep Guardiola identify FC Porto’s Nico González as Rodri replacement

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola identify FC Porto’s Nico González as Rodri replacement
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola identify FC Porto’s Nico González as Rodri replacement

New Delhi: After failing to sign Nico Gonzalez twice when he was still in the academy, Pep Guardiola will make a third attempt to sign the £50 million holding midfielder. The Porto star has been hailed as the contender to take over Manchester City’s problematic position because Rodri is sidelined, potentially for the rest of the season. The Spanish midfielder will cost Pep’s team a lot of money, though. Portuguese team Porto insists they won’t sell their best player unless their £50.15 million buyout clause is activated.

Since Barcelona will receive a 40% sell-on fee for the player they sold for about £7 million in 2023, they also want the remainder of the money paid up front. Porto is in a strong negotiation position after paying £45 million to get Brazilian winger Galeno to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli. Guardiola, meanwhile, has long liked Gonzalez. Historically, he has been hesitant to shell out vast sums of money to replace Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner. This is due to his belief that one talent is wasted by having two holding midfielders.

How can Nico deliver the goods for City?

The absence of Rodri has truly struck Manchester City this season, and it seems like Pep would love to have a proper backup for the Spaniard. Nico Gonzalez already has eight goal contributions for Porto in the league and it seems like he can be a great aspect for this Manchester City side. His defensive play is also top notch, that makes him a good all-round midfielder who can do a good job in that midfield of the English champions.

However, Pep would not allow him to get away with it a third time. Nico made a name for himself as a potential midfielder at Barcelona, but the Catalans opted to cash in on the player since they were having financial difficulties. He was urged to join City’s academy as a young kid when his father joined Guardiola’s backroom staff in 2016, but he decided to play for Barcelona instead. He declined a second opportunity to play for City in 2018. City have spent almost £173 million during this window after acquiring Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov.

 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is eyeing Nico González as a potential replacement for Rodri, according to reports. Since Rodri’s injury last year, City have struggled with results and this might be their chance to get a proper replacement for the Spaniard.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today