Manchester City secured the signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez until 2029, in a deal worth 60 million euros.
Manchester City have announced the signing of Nico González from FC Porto, with manager Pep Guardiola finally finding a suitable replacement for Rodri.
City completed their fifth signing of the January transfer window on deadline day, securing González after triggering his €60m release clause.
The former Barcelona man has been brought in to bolster City’s midfield and provide much-needed cover for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who was ruled out for the whole season after picking up a serious knee injury back in September.
Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury when Man City faced Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in September and his absence has been deeply felt. In Rodri’s absence, Pep Guardiola’s side have lost seven Premier League matches this term – the latest being Sunday’s 5-1 humbling at the hands of Arsenal – leaving them in a battle for a top four finish, and needing to overcome holders Real Madrid in the play-off round if they are to remain in the Champions League.
González – who came through the ranks at Barcelona and moved to Porto in 2023 – is the man City have now turned to in an attempt to solve their midfield problem.
City have now officially announced a deal with Porto, with González signing a four-and-a-half-year contract that keeps him at the Etihad until 2029.
The Cityzens have not revealed the transfer fee they have paid to Porto to secure the services of the 23-year-old, but Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Premier League giants have paid his release clause of €60m (£49.8m, $61.5m) but with a different structure.
The Spain U21 international follows Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah in moving to the Etihad Stadium this winter.
Gonzalez, who Porto bought from Barcelona for just €8.5m in 2023, expressed his excitement about joining the Premier League champions: “This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career. I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There’s no better club than Manchester City for me to do that.
“Look at the squad they have here; it’s unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn’t a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up.
“I know the reputation Pep has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team. I am truly excited.”
Man City director Txiki Begiristain admitted that it was a challenge to get a deal for Gonzalez over the line on deadline day, but he can envisage the midfielder playing an integral role in the club’s pursuit of silverware in 2025.
“Nico is a very talented young midfielder. He is an ideal acquisition for Manchester City,” Begiristain added. “It was a difficult transfer to complete because his performances this season have been outstanding and he has been such an important part of what FC Porto are doing.
“We are really happy we have managed to get this done before the window closed. He is ready to help us in the second half of the season as we compete in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.”
González has proven himself as an attacking force this season with seven goals and six assists from 29 matches in all tournaments, although he is also comfortable as a number six, making him an ideal Rodri Replacement.
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