Man City move for ex-Barcelona star as Rodri replacement - Romano

Tom Weber

Updated: 31 Jan 2025 12:39 CST
3 min read

Manchester City have identified Nico Gonzalez as their potential Rodri replacement, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has been out injured since the early stages of the campaign after suffering a season-ending ACL tear in a fixture against Arsenal.

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His injury doomed Man City to a poor campaign as he was the glue that held Pep Guardiola's side together. The Cityzens are well off the pace in the Premier League, although results have at least stabilised of late.

Still, it was clear heading into the January window that Man City would pursue a midfielder to replace Rodri, but the market has so far not been kind to the reigning Premier League champions.

Available options have been few and far between and, despite links with a host of names, preciously little in the way of concrete developments has materialised to date.

Man City want Gonzalez

However, this is now all about to change, according to Fabrizio Romano. The transfer insider reports that Man City have made a formal approach for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.

The Spaniard joined the Portuguese giants from Barcelona in 2023 after failing to really establish himself as a regular fixture for the senior side and his move to Porto has done wonders for his career.

Gonzalez has been very impressive and this hasn't gone unnoticed at Man City. The 23-year-old has a €60 million release clause, although 40 per cent of that sum would be owed to Barcelona.

Porto would, naturally, prefer to keep Gonzalez and are demanding an 'important fee,' but Man City have already opened talks and are seemingly prepared to push for the midfielder.

The Cityzens were previously linked with players like Douglas Luiz, Samuele Ricci and Martin Zubimendi, but are now looking to make Gonzalez their next January signing.