Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Newcastle United have opened talks with Manchester City to sign Nico Gonzalez as they look to strengthen the club's options ahead of the transfer deadline in a fortnight's time.
Newcastle have lost captain Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali from their midfield this summer, and now they are looking to reinforce the position, with the new Premier League season kicking off this weekend.
Now, David Ornstein has broken the news on Tuesday evening that the Magpies have entered negotiations with their Premier League rivals over a deal for the Spaniard, who joined City for £50m during the 2025 January transfer window.
Talks over Gonzalez are just one of a number of exploratory conversations taking place as Matthias Jaissle's men consider their options.
Gonzalez made 41 appearances under Pep Guardiola last term, but he only started two matches after January, including on the final day when the Spanish manager made a number of changes to his starting line-up with the Premier League title out of reach and second place sewn up.
One of his best moments of the 2025-26 campaign was when he fired in the winner from long range in City's 2-1 win against Southampton in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley.
The 24-year-old played the final 11 minutes of his side's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday, and if he did complete a move to Newcastle he would be the second Spanish midfielder to leave the Etihad in a number of days, after Rodri completed his move to Barcelona on Tuesday.
Newcastle Desperately Need Experienced Midfielder
via Reuters
Newcastle have signed two midfielders this summer following the departures of Guimaraes and Tonali, but both are 20 years of age or younger.
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Newcastle Midfield Signings 26/27
Name
Sean Steur
Aladji Bamba
The Magpies may have the likes of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey who can feature in the centre, but it is no surprise that they would be looking for more experience and quality as they look to avoid another 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.
Joelinton is already currently injured and will miss the first league game of the season against Liverpool, leaving Jaissle short of quality and depth ahead of hosting Andoni Iraola's men at St James' Park on Sunday.
Gonzalez would not only add quality, but also experience of playing at the highest level for City in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Speaking after his goal against Southampton in April, Guardiola said:
Nico has to believe more in himself. He has incredible attributes to do that, but sometimes he plays too safe.
"The mentality of, 'I'm going to shoot, I'm going to score a goal', he has to play in that way. The moment he makes that step, we'll be playing to play regularly.
"But we're especially happy because, in the absence of Rodri for six or seven months, he has made an incredible step. He plays a lot of minutes, he helps us a lot and so that's why I'm really pleased."
Perhaps now is the time for Gonzalez to make that move where he will be playing every week, and Newcastle would clearly love to have him with talks already underway.
Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025
Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025