Nico Gonzalez: Man Metropolis hopeful of finishing Deadline Day signing of Porto midfielder

Manchester Metropolis are hopeful of concluding a Deadline Day deal for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.

Talks have been understood to be ongoing between the golf equipment on Monday over the switch payment.

Sky Sports activities Information beforehand reported Metropolis, who misplaced 5-1 to Arsenal on Sunday, don’t need to meet the midfielder’s £50m launch clause.

Gonzalez has been included within the Porto squad to face Rio Ave on Monday night time.

Man Metropolis have already spent £130m on this switch window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

Metropolis have been exploring their choices available in the market for a brand new No 6 with former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, considered one of quite a lot of midfielders they’ve been trying into.

Nonetheless, Gonzalez might now be on his strategy to the Etihad Stadium as Metropolis look to proceed their January spending spree.

The 23-year-old joined Barcelona’s academy in 2013 and made 27 appearances for the membership earlier than becoming a member of Porto in a deal price €8.5m in 2023.

One aspect to negations is the actual fact Barcelona could be due 40 per cent of any payment obtained by Porto for the midfielder.

The Portuguese facet even have the choice to buy an extra 20 at any level, decreasing Barca’s reduce on a potential switch to twenty per cent.

An ideal match for Man Metropolis?

European soccer skilled Kevin Hatchard on Sky Sports activities Information:

“It is an absolute match, he might do a very good job for them. Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of him for a while, Metropolis have been as nicely.

“He is been linked with a transfer to Metropolis since he was a youth participant so he is a very fascinating determine who has matured at Porto. He has made some ahead steps there and may very well be a very good participant.”

Statman Dave talking on Sky Sports activities Information:

“He suits in completely. He got here in by the Barcelona youth academy and is tall. He does remind me slightly little bit of Rodri, there is a likeness there by way of his measurement and his command of the ball.

“Sure, there’s a whole lot of work to do with him however you consider getting one other physique in defensive midfield – Metropolis want that proper now. We noticed how dangerous their relaxation defence was in opposition to Arsenal. What number of occasions have been they caught three-on-two?

“He is a participant that may are available in, play soccer the Guardiola method and evolve. You take a look at Metropolis’s window – two centre-backs, probably the greatest attackers in Europe in Omar Marmoush and a defensive midfielder.”

‘Negotiations tough in Metropolis’s pursuit of Gonzalez’

Sky Sports activities Information’ Ben Ransom at Man Metropolis’s coaching floor:

“He is a participant Man Metropolis actually like.

“Midfield has been an issue for Metropolis this season within the absence of the injured Rodri, so Gonzalez suits the invoice. He is a participant Metropolis have scouted extensively.

“Gonzalez’s dad, Fran, who was a participant for Deportivo, has labored in Metropolis’s academy and Metropolis, when Nico was 14 and 16 tried to signal him twice.

“He has now impressed at Porto within the 18 months since his transfer from Barcelona.

“It is the transfer from Barca that truly makes this transfer tough as a result of negotiations are revolving over the payment. The participant has a £50m launch clause and because it stands Porto need that paid in full.

“That is due partially as a result of Barcelona have a 40 per cent sell-on clause, so that may be fairly a piece on any potential payment.

“There’s additionally a second aspect to this deal the place Porto should purchase half of that payment from Barca for €6m. So, primarily, they’ll scale back that outlay to €18m IF Metropolis pay the total launch clause.

“Nonetheless, Metropolis are enjoying hardball. They do not need to meet that valuation as issues stand.

“This deal is a little bit of a wait-and-see. One supply has instructed me that if Metropolis don’t meet the discharge clause the deal could be off and that may be their switch window over.

“However that is switch deadline day and we all know cash talks. The 2 golf equipment are speaking so there might nonetheless be some motion.”