Former FC Barcelona midfield prodigy Nico Gonzalez is having a spectacular season at FC Porto.
A regular starter in the Portuguese team’s midfield, the former La Masia gem is starting to become a sought-after asset in the market.
Nico left Barça for Porto in the summer of 2023, with the Catalans retaining a buyback option worth €30 million for the promising midfielder, along with a 40% future sell-on clause.
Barcelona will not bring back Nico Gonzalez
According to SPORT, Barcelona have until June 30, 2025, to exercise their buyback option for Nico Gonzalez worth €30 million, but they will not do so.
The Blaugrana acknowledge the player’s progress since leaving the club for FC Porto but will focus on promoting players from within the academy, while waiting for Nico to be sold in order to receive 40% of the transfer fee.
Nico Gonzalez will not return to Barça. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Barcelona have assessed the option to bring Nico back, as they included a buyback clause that expires in 2025. They sold him for nearly €9 million with the expectation that he would succeed at Porto, which he has done.
The Spaniard has been closely followed by Deco, but it is believed that there will be limited funds available for investment, and that the club will focus on homegrown players for the midfield position, with Marc Casado and Marc Bernal seen as key future options.
Barcelona could pocket €24 million from Nico’s sale
Barcelona are now waiting for a significant sale of Nico Gonzalez this summer, which could yield a good profit. The midfielder has a release clause set at around €60 million, with the Catalans set to receive 40% of the transfer fee.
Recently, there have been reports of interest from Liverpool, while Aston Villa is also said to be keen on the player, although no firm offers have been made so far.
Should either club match the €60 million release clause for Nico, Barça would stand to earn €24 million from the operation.