Manchester City are hopeful of concluding a Deadline Day deal for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
Talks were understood to be ongoing between the clubs on Monday over the transfer fee.
Sky Sports News previously reported City, who lost 5-1 to Arsenal on Sunday, do not want to meet the midfielder’s £50m release clause.
Gonzalez has been included in the Porto squad to face Rio Ave on Monday night.
Man City have already spent £130m in this transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
City have been exploring their options in the market for a new No 6 with former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, one of a number of midfielders they have been looking into.
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Kevin Hatchard talks Sky Sports News through his pick of ‘Players to Watch’ on Transfer Deadline Day
However, Gonzalez could now be on his way to the Etihad Stadium as City look to continue their January spending spree.
The 23-year-old joined Barcelona’s academy in 2013 and made 27 appearances for the club before joining Porto in a deal worth €8.5m in 2023.
A perfect fit for Man City?
European football expert Kevin Hatchard on Sky Sports News:
“It’s an absolute fit, he could do a really good job for them. Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of him for some time, City have been as well.
“He’s been linked with a move to City since he was a youth player so he’s a really interesting figure who has matured at Porto. He has made some forward steps there and could be a really good player.”
Statman Dave speaking on Sky Sports News:
“He fits in perfectly. He came in through the Barcelona youth academy and is tall. He does remind me a little bit of Rodri, there’s a likeness there in terms of his size and his command of the ball.
“Yes, there’s a lot of work to do with him but you think of getting another body in defensive midfield – City need that right now. We saw how bad their rest defence was against Arsenal. How many times were they caught three-on-two?
“He’s a player that can come in, play football the Guardiola way and evolve. You look at City’s window – two centre-backs, one of the best attackers in Europe in Omar Marmoush and a defensive midfielder.”
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