Nico Gonzalez to Man City: Who is the Porto midfielder and why do City want him? | OneFootball

Manchester City are working on a last minute deal for Nico Gonzalez, according to reports. Here is everything you need to know about him.

Gonzalez is a product of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. The birthplace of numerous superstars, players do not graduate from the footballing school without bona fide talent.

After working his way through the ranks at the Catalan giants, the midfielder made his first team debut in 2021. The Spaniard replaced Sergio Busquets for the last seven minutes of the first game of the 2021/22 season. At the age of 19, he went on to make 27 appearances in La Liga that season, including 12 starts. Despite this, with the competition for places, Gonzalez could not nail down a starting spot in Barcelona’s starting lineup.

For the next season, Gonzalez went out on loan to Valencia. This only came after he signed a new contract extension with Barcelona. Although he only made 26 appearances for Valencia, he started more matches and played significantly more minutes.

At the end of the season Gonzalez returned to his parent club, however he would move on from Barcelona on a permanent basis that summer. In July 2023 the Spaniard joined FC Porto on a five year deal. The transfer cost Porto €8.5 million with the Catalans reportedly maintaining a buy-back clause.

The midfielder has spent the last season-and-a-half in Portugal, where he has excelled. He has become a key part of Porto’s midfield and has impressed during his 68 games for the club, which has garnered interest from some of Europe’s elite.

Contract status

Gonzalez’s contract does not expire until 2028 but does not appear to be a major issue in City’s move as it is believed that the 23-year-old has a €60 million release clause. Barcelona also maintain their buy-back clause on the La Maria graduate. However, given their well-documented financial issues, they are in no position to re-sign him. The Spanish club do stand to benefit from any deal though, as they hold a 40% sell-on clause.

Style of play

Gonzalez is a holding midfielder, a role that has always been key in Pep Guardiola’s system. With Rodri’s long-term absence, City desperately need a player that can protect their back-line and pass the ball well. As a La Maria graduate, Gonzalez is more than comfortable on the ball and is also strong defensively. His aggressive defending is exactly what City have been lacking this season, highlighted in their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. There are resemblances with Guardiola’s own career, a fellow holding midfielder from Barcelona, and it is no surprise that the coach is interested in him.

Who is interested?

Gonzalez is most strongly linked with Man City, who are obviously looking to fill the Rodri-shaped hole in their squad. The Premier League champions have real interest in the midfielder and have already seen a bid rejected. The bid is believed to have been around €50 million but Porto are holding out for the full €60 million for his release clause. Given how little time is left in the window, it is not likely that any other clubs will compete with City for the midfielder’s signature at this stage.

Did you know?

Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future, this morning Gonzalez was included in Porto’s squad for their league game tonight. Porto are facing Rio Ave in the Liga Portugal, but it is now believed that Gonzalez has left the training camp. If City do trigger Gonzalez’s release clause it will take their total expenditure north of £175 million during this January window. City have already signed Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush.