New Delhi: Manchester City continue their hunt in this transfer window, and they have managed to come to an agreement with Porto’s defensive midfielder, Nico Gonzalez. The 23-year-old is a brilliant prospect, who was also a prospect of the famous La Masia academy which tells volumes about his technique and abilities on the pitch. However, In their attempt to sign Nico Gonzalez, Manchester City have been presented with a compromise offer.
After turning down the champions’ £41.5 million bid, the Portuguese team is still adamant that the £50 million clause in the Spaniard’s contract be fulfilled in full. The Sky Blues have been informed that Porto will accept a package of reasonably attainable add-ons in order to reach their asking price since Gonzalez is eager to transfer to the Etihad. If City proceed with the buyout after agreeing to give Barcelona a 40 percent share of any profits over the £7 million they paid the Spanish team for Gonzalez in 2023, Porto will only receive £28.4 million.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Nico González to Manchester City, here we go! 💣
New midfielder for Pep Guardiola as Man City will pay same amount as release clause worth €60m with different structure.
Nico, allowed to travel for medical and contract signing soon.
Exclusive story, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/bLcpUof9Tq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 3, 2025
Who is the new replacement for Rodri?
The talented midfielder has been a fantastic prospect for the Portuguese club, Porto but the roots of his game style and overall play on the pitch have been given the touch of of La Masia’s exquisite playmaking DNA. At the age of seven, Nico began playing for local team Montañeros after being born in A Coruña, Galicia. He consented to transfer to Barcelona in December 2012, with effect from July of the following year. His father, Fran Gonzalez is a Deportivo La Coruna legend and won the Laliga title with them.
However, after spending his time at Barcelona, playing just one season for them and yet another solid loan stint with Valencia, he made his move to Porto and instantly became fan favourite. Despite falling short of winning the title with Porto in his debut season in Portugal, he was a solid asset in that midfield, playing as a deep lying midfielder. His current season with Porto is yet again producing some good numbers and performances from him, that is keeping Porto at third in the table. Now that his move is more or less confirmed, it will be interesting to see how he performs at Manchester City, where Pep will certainly have some major plans reafy for him.
How can Gonzalez help City get back to their best?
It is too early to say that the Spaniard is the answer to Manchester City’s midfield problems and also provide the big answer to their star player, Rodri’s absence. However, his playing style involves technique, strength, anticipation and decision making, somthing which he has mastered over time. He has shown the maturity on the ball and his appreciation of space, willingness to run and make the right decisions make him the perfect match for what Pep requires from his player.
His tremendous work ethic and the ability to go on for entire 90 minutes also makes him a massive asset in that midfield and adding to that, he also has tremendous vision and a decent pace for a defensive midfielder. However, Pep can use him in that position where he plays Rodri, and his role as an anchoring midfielder would require him to be a lot more responsible in that midfield. He has also established himself as a goalscoring midfielder in the Portuguese league, where he has scored five times and has provided three assists.
With 12 goal contributions in all competitions as a defensive midfielder, he is already showing signs of a Pep-like player who could produce the goods for this City side. This suggests that a much required return of Rodri would also be benficial for him, as he will be given more freedom to go forward and join the attack. His off the ball running can really open up the defences and create spaces for his teammates to run into. An interesting buy for Manchester City, which is more or less done now, and it can truly do wonders for Pep Guardiola’s lacking side.
Manchester City have officially agreed to sign Porto’s midfielder Nico González, who is a potential replacement for injured Rodri. Here’s a look at how the Spaniard can make his presence felt at Etihad. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
