Who is Nico Gonzalez? Midfielder linked with Manchester City

The Cityzens are on the lookout for a new midfielder

Manchester City management and head coach Pep Guardiola are keeping their eyes on adding a midfield player to their team before the transfer window shuts. Therefore Manchester City are trying to finalize their final-day addition of Porto star Nico Gonzalez, as reported by journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The Sky Blues have been busy all over the winter transfer window, and Omar Marmoush, who completed a £59 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt, is the most costly purchase made by the defending Premier League winners. However, they plan to add more players in the window ahead.

Who is Manchester City’s linked star Nico Gonzalez?

At the age of seven, Nico began playing for local team Montañeros after being born in A Coruña, Galicia. He agreed to join Barcelona academy in December 2012, with effect from July of the following year.

Nico made his professional debut for the reserves on May 19, 2019, when he was just 17 years old. He replaced Kike Saverio late in a 2–1 Segunda División B away defeat against Castellón. He played for the Juvenil A team throughout the 2020–21 season before beginning to play frequently for the B team in November 2020.

Nico’s contract was extended until 2024 with a €500 million release clause on May 12, 2021. He earned his professional and LaLiga debut on August 15, taking Sergio Busquets’ place in the opening match of the 2021–22 La Liga season, a 4–2 victory over Real Sociedad, after making an appearance in the main squad during the preseason.

The Catalan team chose to loan him because he was surplus of requirements. Nico signed a season-long loan with Valencia after extending his contract until 2026 on August 13, 2022, with Barcelona. After completing his loan Barcelona decided to sell the midfielder.

Porto reportedly paid €8.5 million to sign him and he inked a five-year deal with a Primeira Liga team, on July 29, 2023, with a repurchase option for Barcelona.

Will Nico Gonzalez fit at Man City?

Midfielder Nico González is capable of playing a variety of roles in the middle of the field. He can play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or defensive midfielder due to his versatility. Due to injuries sustained during one of the games, he was forced to play right-back.

Nico’s rapid growth during his youth caused significant physical changes, making it challenging for the player to adapt to his style of play, which saw him become a completely defensive midfielder. Nico has outstanding passing skills, much like any other La Masia midfielder and also boasts excellent vision with his defence-piercing passes.

This season, Rodri’s absence has really hurt Manchester City, and it appears that Pep would really like to have a suitable backup for the Spaniard. Nico Gonzalez has already contributed eight goals for Porto in the league, and it appears that he might be a valuable member of this Manchester City team. He is a good all-around midfielder who can perform well in the English champions’ midfield because of his excellent defensive performance.

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