Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images

News

FeaturedNewsManchester CityEnglish Premier League

Andres Iniesta has already given Nico Gonzalez verdict as he nears £50m Man City move

Srinivas Sadhanand

Mon 3 February 2025 22:00, UK

Nico Gonzalez is set to become Manchester City’s fourth signing of the ongoing winter window as the Premier League champions have been aggressively committed towards rebuilding their ageing squad.

Sources have told TBR Football that a key reason why Gonzalez’s move to Manchester City was agreed as they are set to make staggered payments towards his £50 million release clause is because of Pep Guardiola’s request for a brand-new defensive🍒 midfielder before deadline day.

Gonzalez was keen on joining Manchester City, which is also considered a major factor♈ behind the deal reaching close to completion.

How the Porto midfielder fares will be interesting to see as Manchester City have found it virtually impossible to replace Rodri — whose absence has perhaps further emphasised why he won the Ballon d’Or in October last year. Pep Guardiola will be counting on the Sp🌠🙈aniard to instantly come good in a City shirt and help save their disappointing season.

Andres Iniesta hailed Man City-bound Nico Gonzalez’s talent

It is important to note that Manchester City negotiated Gonzalez’s🤪 move on deadline day and while Porto were initially reticent about sell♓ing the 23-year-old without his release clause being triggered, it seems like the Sky Blues’ persistence eventually did the trick.

Gonzalez’s de𓆉♌velopment at Barcelona was quicker than Andres Iniesta’s, according to former coach Fran Artiga, with the World Cup winner h✃aving already lauded his as well as Gavi’s natural talent in 2022.

Iniesta told journalist Gerard Romero live on Twitch: “🌺Two footballers with brutal talent and physical conditions. They have had to play through this situation and they are responding in an incredible way. Don’t forget their ages. They must continue to grow in a goꦿod environment and develop their talent.”

“They know where they are and how demanding they are. T𝐆hey are tolerating the situation in a normal way. They have been so many years that nobody can explain 😼to them how to manage this type of circumstance.”

Iniesta’s endorsement is possibly the best any midfielder can get and the legendary technician’s comments suggest why Manchester C✃ity were so keen on making a mov✤e for Gonzalez.

City still have plenty of important fixtures to play, which ❀is why the La Masia graduate’s arrival could mean their season does not end up being a write-off.

Nico Gonzalez medical completed ahead of Man City move

Gonzalez ♛has completed his medic✱al at Manchester City as his signing is set to be officially announced shortly. The Sky Blues wiജll be hoping that the former Barcelona midfielder lives up to the hype as he is arguably their most important signing out of all their recent additions due to their struggles in mid🍒field.

If Gonzalez does flourish at Manchesﷺter City, they could have a midfielder on their books who could become the heartbeat of their side for ye🌞ars to come.