Nico Gonzalez to Man City: ‘Unbelievable’ update emerges from Portugal
Man City new boy Nico Gonzalez is set to join from Porto amid an “unbelievable” update emerging from Portugal, according to Andy Brassell.
Balon D’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for this season with an ACL injury, forcing the Citizens to in the market for a replacement in the January transfer window.
Gonzalez is now set to join City in a €60.2million (£50million) deal from FC Porto [Daily Mail]. Barcelona, Gonzalez’s former club, looked set to net around €24million (£19.9million) from a 40% sell on clause.
However, after suggestions that a clause existed which could alter the terms of the deal between Barcelona and Porto, and it appears that has already been triggered ahead of his move to Man City.
The suggested clause would allow Porto to pay €6million (£5million) to halve the 40% sell on down to a 20% sell on clause, meaning Barcelona would only be getting €12million (£10million) instead.
Brassell was astonished by the deal, and he had this to say on Sky Sports News (8.15pm): “We’re hearing in Portugal that the sell-on for Barcelona won’t be as much as it was initially slated to be.
“They’ll only be getting about £10million because, it being Barcelona of course, they sold some of that profit clause to Porto a couple of months ago.
“It’s unbelievable isn’t it? They sold half of that to Porto for £6million, so they’ll be getting about 10.”
Man City splash the cash as they try to rejuvenate their dismal season
Football Insider Verdict
Gonzalez is an exciting addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad as the Spaniard looks to try and turn around their poor season.
The former Barcelona man can play as a holding midfielder, but thrives when given licence to play further up the pitch. Gonzalez has scored five goals and assisted three in just 17 league matches for Porto.
City are famous for their meticulous recruitment strategy, opting to spend in the summer and allow their players the luxury of a full pre-season to get to grips with the demands of the tactical system that Guardiola employs.
However, this season is different. City have struggled to keep up with expectations of winning four Premier League titles in a row, and find themselves 15 points behind league-leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
This has led to the club going mass-recruiting in January, signing striker Omar Marmoush, defenders Abdukodir Khusanov, Juma Bah, Vitor Reis, and midfielder Gonzalez.
The decision to make as many signings as they have, seems risky given City’s previous reluctance to make signings in the winter period, but City are in such a position that they are forced to make moves they previously would not have.
In other news, Bernardo Silva was “really lucky” to have escaped punishment against Arsenal.
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