Manchester City are still hoping to secure two signings before the transfer window shuts, according to reports.
GiveMeSport claims negotiations with Porto over a deal for Nico Gonzalez have entered the “eleventh hour”.
The Spaniard has a €60m (£50m) release clause in his contract but City are hoping to reach an agreement on a fee closer to €40m (£34m).
It is believed that Gonzalez is very keen on securing a switch to the Etihad, with personal terms not thought to be a problem, but the main obstacle is the transfer fee. There is a significant gap between the two teams’ valuations of the player at the moment.
City want to bring in a fullback
GiveMeSport report that the Cityzens are also aiming to sign Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso ahead of the deadline, but the chances of a transfer going ahead are decreasing with every passing hour.
Cambiaso’s club are concerned that they won’t be able to replace him with the window about to shut so they will demand a very high price to sell him. It is believed that the Bianconeri could ask for as much as €80m (£67m).
With that being the case, City may have to wait until the summer to sign the Italian international. However, they may have more competition for his signature then. Arsenal and Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential suitors over the past 6 months.
Signing a midfielder is the top priority
While finding a replacement for Kyle Walker is undoubtedly very important, the most urgent need right now is reinforcing the middle of the park.
Pep Guardiola’s side have seriously missed the injured Rodri and adding Gonzalez to the squad this month could prove pivotal to the club’s ambitions of finishing in the top four and progressing further in Europe.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here