Newcastle given encouragement over Nico Gonzalez deal
Man City will let Nico Gonzalez join Newcastle as soon as they sign a new midfielder to replace him, sources have told Football Insider.
Recent reports have claimed that Gonzalez will be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium before the summer window closes.
The Spaniard is not set to figure in Enzo Maresca's plans this season, with more midfield arrivals on the agenda after Elliot Anderson's £115m move from Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle have registered an interest in signing Gonzalez to solve their own issues in the middle of the park.
They will be able to accelerate a move for the City man as soon as a new arrival is confirmed at the Etihad, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast.
Gonzalez will command a large fee, as his contract runs until 2029, and is currently uncertain about joining Newcastle this summer.
Newcastle can make Nico Gonzalez move when City sign new midfielder
City have been linked to a host of midfielders during this window, with Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi believed to be a top target.
Newcastle will have to fork out over £52million to sign Gonzalez, according to Football Insider's sources, with a new arrival set to push him towards leaving City in search of regular starts.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "The player indicated earlier this month that he wanted to continue at City and fight for his place in Enzo Maresca's team, but if he's not going to be playing for City next season, and they bring in more midfielders as we expect before they close the window, maybe that will open the door for Newcastle as well.
"It's going to take a big fee and it also might take a bit of convincing as well to lure Gonzalez away from the Etihad and to make that move to St James' Park."
Man City targeting Adam Wharton as Crystal Palace set price tag
Bouaddi and Wharton are the two leading targets for City right now, but a move to sign both players seems unlikely due to the fees involved.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that City will have to submit a huge offer worth over £100m to land Wharton this late in the window.
Wharton remains a key part of Pierre Sage's plans at Selhurst Park as they enter the Europa League, with time running out before Palace decide against selling him this summer.