Manchester City Allegedly Finalise Agreement to Secure Promising Porto Midfielder Gonzalez

Manchester City is set to trigger the €60 million (£49.8 million) release clause requested by FC Porto to secure the acquisition of midfielder Nico Gonzalez, aged 23.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and esteemed journalist David Ornstein from The Athletic have reported that the Cityzens have renewed their interest in the Spanish midfielder.

Romano has verified that the English champions have received approval to enter negotiations with Gonzalez after agreeing to pay his €60 million buyout clause. While the fee may not be paid upfront — an instalment plan is likely — further details of the arrangement are still pending.

Barcelona stands to receive 40% of any proceeds above €8.4 million — the fee Porto initially paid for Gonzalez — while the player’s agency, Gestifute, is entitled to a 10% commission. This means that Porto would net €34.2 million. However, there’s a possibility for Porto to settle €6 million, which would reduce Barcelona’s entitlement to 20%, potentially increasing Porto’s portion of the Gonzalez transaction to €43.8 million.

Meanwhile, FC Porto will travel to Vila do Conde this Monday to take on Rio Ave, where Nico was anticipated to be a starter under new coach Martin Anselmi; however, that now appears doubtful.