Manchester City planning to go all out for breakout Barcelona starlet
Manchester City have set their sights on signing Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez in the summer transfer window, reports Fichajes.
Having come through the famed La Masia academy, Nico Gonzalez, 20, made his first-team debut earlier this season and has quickly become one of the important cogs in Barcelona’s midfield. He has already clocked 25 appearances in all competitions, including 17 La Liga outings, registering two goals and as many assists in the process.
Related Story. Manchester City want Barcelona’s newest Wonderkid. light
The Spanish under-21 international’s performances at the middle of the park for Barcelona have not gone unnoticed, with Manchester City having started to keep tabs on his progress.
Midfield is seen as one of the positions the Sky Blues want to strengthen in the summer, keeping in mind that Fernandinho is out of contract at the end of the season and coming to the end of his illustrious career, claims Fichajes.
Although Rodri has impressed and made the holding midfielder’s role his own over the last two seasons, the Spanish international cannot play every single game. Thus, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to bring in a player who can rotate with Rodri as well as compete with him for the defensive midfield role, the report adds.
This has led the Cityzens to eye new talent ahead of the summer transfer window. The report further states that Manchester City views Nico Gonzalez as an important long-term investment for their midfield, a player who perfectly fits in Pep Guardiola’s system and can operate in various roles across the centre of the pitch.
Next. Manchester City suffer blow as Atletico Madrid star deemed ‘untouchable’. dark
Nico is slowly making a name for himself at Barcelona as a tenacious, all-round player with the ability to defend and create or score goals. The Spanish under-21 international could replace the ageing Fernandinho, whilst reprising Ilkay Gundogan’s box-to-box role at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite being entangled in financial problems, Barcelona are in no mood to sell Nico. The young midfielder has a contract at Camp Nou until 2024, so he is likely to cost a premium for Man City, the report concludes.