Man City eyeing move for 20-year-old Barcelona midfield prodigy | OneFootball

After the untimely exit of Lionel Messi, Barcelona desperately needed heroes. Heroes that would save their season from inevitable failure. Memphis Depay, Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong were among contenders, but each, due to their own respective reasons, have not particularly come through.

Two players who have, however, are Gavi and Nico Gonzalez. Making their first-team debut no earlier than this season, both players came through the famed La Masia academy and have already become first-team regulars. Gavi especially has taken football by storm as a 17-year-old.

While Barcelona themselves have had the best seat in the house to watch these two ballers, several clubs have had their eyes glued on their progress. One of them is Manchester City, who, according to Fichajes, have Nico on their radar.

City consider the Spaniard an essential investment for their midfield as a player who can play multiple roles. He played as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona B but has been used primarily as a central midfielder this season under Ronald Koeman and Xavi.

Rodri is the first-choice defensive midfielder for Pep Guardiola at the club, with 36-year-old Fernandinho as the backup. The Brazilian’s future at this age is uncertain, though, and Nico could be the perfect reinforcement in that position.

Further, he could also replicate Ilkay Gundogan’s role at the club as a classic no. 8, who has the license to move into the box to score.

Gavi has also been linked with the Sky Blues, but he is due a new contract very soon, so that move is pretty much out of the question.

That said, Nico has a contract with Barcelona that lasts until the summer of 2024, with the release clause set at an eye-watering €500 million. And despite being financially unstable, the club has no intention of selling the midfielder. Manchester City will have to shell out of a fortune to convince Joan Laport and co.