Newcastle United’s lengthy pursuit of a new centerpiece for its midfield may finally be approaching a breakthrough, with negotiations for Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez advancing significantly ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline.
The Magpies have spent weeks exploring replacements for Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein first reporting Tuesday that Newcastle had opened talks regarding Gonzalez. Fabrizio Romano subsequently revealed City was “quite open” to negotiating
his departure.
Now, Newcastle and City have reportedly moved beyond those exploratory discussions and might be on the verge of agreeing to a deal heading into the first game of the new Premier League season.
Dutchie Bowen reported Saturday that the clubs have reached a verbal agreement worth £40 million, plus another £5 million (around €46+6 million) in potential bonuses. With that settled, Bowen reports that Newcastle is already negotiating personal terms with Gonzalez.
“Newcastle United have reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City for Nico González,” Bowen reported. “Fee £40m + £5m bonuses. NUFC negotiating personal terms W/ 24yo. Deal depends if both parties can reach an agreement.”
If Bowen’s report is true, then we have clearest and best-possible indication yet that Newcastle can actually complete the transfer quickly. On Friday, it emerged that City has already informed Gonzalez he is free to explore opportunities elsewhere.
There is, however, a new and rather dubious wrinkle. According to CaughtOffside, Real Madrid has added Gonzalez to its shortlist after failing to sign Rodri, potentially creating late competition for Newcastle. The outlet claimed Madrid is considering Gonzalez alongside Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
“After failing to land Rodri, Real Madrid have added González to their shortlist and are also weighing up Adam Wharton,” CaughtOffside reported. “This has brought the Spaniard firmly into the spotlight at the Bernabeu, while Newcastle United have also entered the race.”
That reported interest should probably be treated cautiously. CaughtOffside offered no indication that Madrid has approached City or Gonzalez, submitted an offer or opened negotiations, and there are no prior reports at all of a possible interest in the player from the Spanish giants.
Most likely, given Newcastle is now reportedly nearing or already having agreed financial terms with City, the sudden appearance of Real Madrid could just as easily be geared toward creating leverage around the player’s price or personal terms rather than signal a genuine competing move from Real Madrid.
The remaining hurdle is Gonzalez himself, but with the Cityzens making it clear he’ll be relegated once again to the bench, it doesn’t look like the former La Masia wonderkid will oppose a transfer to the Magpies, where he’ll be expected to get a spot in the XI from the get-go.
How confident are you that Newcastle gets Gonzalez over the line from here? Is this a midfielder you’d like to lead the Magpies into the Matthias Jaissle era? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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