Manchester City is set to sign a replacement for Rodri just before the transfer window closes. FC Porto midfielder Nico González is expected to make the move to the Etihad Stadium for sixty million euros.
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Manchester City is set to pay the release clause for Nico González, securing the FC Porto midfielder in a deal worth around €60 million.
The transfer is expected to be completed before the deadline, with The Athletic reporting that City has no concerns over reaching an agreement on personal terms with the player. González has been identified as a key target to replace the injured Rodri, who has been sidelined since early in the season. While Douglas Luiz from Juventus was also considered, City ultimately opted for the younger Spanish midfielder, seeing him as a more suitable long-term solution.
Rodri’s absence has significantly impacted Manchester City’s midfield stability, forcing Pep Guardiola to experiment with different options, none of which have managed to replicate the Spaniard’s influence. With the team engaged in a fierce Premier League title race and also pushing for another Champions League triumph, reinforcing the midfield was a top priority before the transfer window closed. The arrival of González is expected to bring much-needed balance and control back to City’s play, filling the void left by his compatriot.
Nico González came through the ranks of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, a system that has produced some of the greatest midfielders in football history. He made 37 appearances for the Barcelona first team, making his debut under Ronald Koeman in 2021. Despite being highly rated, he struggled to secure regular playing time, leading to a loan move to Valencia, where he gained vital first-team experience. In 2023, FC Porto signed him permanently, and he quickly became a key figure in their midfield, impressing with his composure, tactical awareness, and technical ability. His performances in the Primeira Liga and Champions League drew interest from top European clubs, but Manchester City moved swiftly to trigger his release clause before any other team could step in.
Barcelona will also benefit financially from this transfer, as they retained a 40% sell-on clause when they sold González to Porto. This means the Catalan club will receive a significant portion of the transfer fee paid by Manchester City, providing a welcome financial boost at a time when they continue to struggle with economic difficulties.
Manchester City had explored several midfield options before settling on González. Douglas Luiz of Juventus was strongly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, with City executives considering a move for the Brazilian international. However, Juventus' higher financial demands and concerns over Luiz’s long-term suitability reportedly played a role in City shifting their focus to González. The Porto midfielder is five years younger and possesses a more versatile skill set, making him an attractive option for Guardiola’s tactical approach. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game, distribute possession efficiently, and read defensive situations makes him a natural successor to Rodri.
This signing marks the conclusion of a busy January transfer window for Manchester City. Earlier in the month, the club completed deals for several promising talents, including Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, Juma Bah from Real Valladolid, who was immediately loaned to RC Lens, Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens, and Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite these additions, the glaring need for a midfield anchor remained unresolved until City moved for González. Guardiola knew that relying solely on Kalvin Phillips or Mateo Kovačić in the defensive midfield role was not a sustainable solution, especially as City faces crucial fixtures in both domestic and European competitions.
González, standing at 1.88m (6ft 2in), brings a strong physical presence to midfield, combined with excellent ball control, vision, and tactical intelligence. He excels in retaining possession under pressure, breaking up opposition attacks with intelligent positioning, and transitioning quickly from defense to attack. While he is not as defensively dominant as Rodri, he compensates with his ability to link midfield with attack seamlessly, making him an asset in Guardiola’s system. His adaptability, having already played in Spain and Portugal, should help him settle into the Premier League swiftly.
Guardiola is expected to integrate González into the squad immediately, given City’s demanding schedule. He is likely to be deployed as a direct replacement for Rodri in a single-pivot midfield setup, although Guardiola may also experiment with him in a double-pivot alongside Kovačić or Stones in certain tactical scenarios. With City still competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, González’s ability to control the midfield will be crucial.
The acquisition of González is not just a short-term fix but also a strategic signing for the future. At 23, he has the potential to develop further under Guardiola’s guidance and become a vital part of City’s midfield for years to come. His composure under pressure, technical ability, and versatility make him a perfect fit for a team that thrives on ball control and structured attacking play. The club’s decision to trigger his release clause highlights how highly they rate him, and with Rodri still recovering, City could not afford to gamble on an unproven option.
For City fans, the hope is that González can immediately step in and provide the stability that the team has been missing in Rodri’s absence. The transition to English football may take some adjustment, but his experience in La Liga and the Primeira Liga suggests that he is well-prepared for the challenge. As the season enters its decisive phase, all eyes will be on González to see if he can help Manchester City maintain their dominance domestically and in Europe.
