Manchester City could make Nico Gonzalez their latest signing in what is anticipated to be an expensive January transfer window as their squad rebuild continues to progress rapidly.
The Premier League champions have reportedly initiated discussions with FC Porto regarding the potential signing of former Barça midfielder Nico González. With a release clause set at €60 million, the situation becomes more intricate for City, as Barcelona holds a 40% sell-on clause from any future transfer. If Manchester City exercises Nico González’s release clause, Barcelona stands to gain €24 million from this potential deal, significantly impacting their finances.
Prominent football journalist Fabrizio Romano has conveyed that Manchester City is indeed in conversations with Porto after having made a “formal approach” for the 23-year-old midfielder. However, Porto’s willingness to part with Nico is contingent on them receiving an “important” transfer fee, making the negotiations increasingly challenging. While the fixed release clause is €60 million (equivalent to approximately £50.2 million or $62.3 million), Porto’s reticence to lose such a key player could result in them asking for an even larger sum, thus complicating matters further.
This proactive approach from Manchester City can be seen as a direct response to a dismal performance in November and December, coupled with an explicit need for rejuvenation within the squad. Notably, Omar Marmoush has emerged as the highest-profile signing, arriving for nearly £60 million (around $74 million) from Eintracht Frankfurt. Additionally, the club has also reinforced their defensive lineup by bringing in a young centre-back trio: Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Juma Bah. This January transfer window has already seen City spend an impressive £127 million (approximately $157 million).
Nico González, who has showcased significant potential, is a product of Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy, joining at the tender age of 11. His breakthrough onto the first-team scene alongside fellow young talent Gavi during the 2021-22 season was promising, with Nico making 37 senior appearances in all competitions. However, the trajectory of his career took a different turn when he was sent on loan to Valencia in the subsequent season, before making a permanent move to Porto for merely €8.5 million in 2023.
As Manchester City aims to finalize additional transfer deals ahead of the rapidly approaching Monday deadline at 11 PM (GMT), the urgency in negotiations with Porto cannot be overstated. Adding another layer of complexity is City’s critical Premier League match against Arsenal scheduled for Sunday evening, while Porto also has a match slated for Monday, potentially cramping the timeline for any finalization of this significant transfer. This multifaceted situation will require Manchester City to act decisively to enhance their squad ahead of crucial fixtures and ongoing competitions.
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