Barcelona has made it clear that they do not have the money to do deals in the transfer window of January until someone leaves – namely a deal for Marcus Rashford. However, they can come in a number of unexpected cash thanks to Manchester City.
After signing defenders Vorror Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vooruit Omar Marmoush for the region of € 150 million, Pep Guardiola now wants to strengthen his midfield. Fabrizio Romano reports that City has made a formal approach for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The former LA Masia-Man has a release clause of € 60 million and Barcelona has a sale of 40%, which yields up to € 24 million if the clause is activated.
It is not yet clear whether Manchester City wants to negotiate or pay the clause, but anyway, it would probably be an important financial boost for the Blaugrana. The 23-year-old midfielder left Barcelona 18 months ago for a fee of € 8.44 million in the first place.
Depending on how sharp they are to keep him, real betis hopes whether or not the deal will continue. According to Marca, another of the names is on their shortlist Sergi Altimira. Also 23 years old and a product from La Masia, Altimira was chased by Barcelona, before Getafe won the race for him. Betis then activated his release clause the same summer.
The paper established in Madrid says that although Altimira has a release clause of € 40 million, Los Verdiblancos would be willing to do business for just € 20 million. They may see it as a common sense after they have signed him for only € 2 million. Just like Gonzalez, he has attracted earlier interest from the Premier League.
It seems that City certainly wants a midfielder who is able to play sharp steps from deeper in the field, although Nico can be a box-to-box player a little more, depending on his use. Just like Altimira, Nico left due to a lack of opportunities. He was also scouted by Liverpool earlier this season.
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