Manchester City transfer news: Pep Guardiola 'eyeing £50m midfielder' on deadline day

The Premier League champions have already spent £130m to secure deals for Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush during the winter transfer window.

However, Pep Guardiola is yet to strengthen his options for the engine room, despite the prolonged absence of key man Rodri.

On Sunday evening, the Spaniard witnessed his side suffer a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, a result and performance that further emphasised the ground that City have lost on their rivals this campaign.

According to Sky Sports News, City officials are in negotiations to add another fresh face in midfield.

Gonzalez City's chosen target?

The report alleges that City are hopeful of finalising a deal for Gonzalez, who has spent the last 18 months at Porto since signing from Valencia.

Gonzalez, a former Barcelona youngster who has previously been linked with other Premier League sides, has contributed nine goals and nine assists from his 68 appearances for the Portuguese giants.

Porto are said to be insistent that Man City meet Gonzalez's £50m release clause if they wish to conclude a deal by the 11pm (GMT) deadline.

As it stands, City do not plan on meeting that demand, seemingly leaving the relevant parties to try to reach a compromise.

With Barcelona due to receive a 40% sell-on clause, it complicates matters, while the Catalan giants will naturally be taking notice given the possibility of a surprise boost to their finances.

Is a deal realistic?

Gonzalez is currently part of the Porto squad that is preparing to face Rio Ave on Monday night.

There is currently no indication whether Gonzalez would jump at the chance to move to City, yet it is realistic to expect a graduate of Barcelona's academy to want to play under Guardiola.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen whether the approach will have any ramifications with regards the future of academy graduate Nico O'Reilly.

Chelsea are said to be interested in signing the youngster on Monday, despite City's initial stance that the 19-year-old is not for sale.

Written by

Darren Plant