With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turning down a move and Joao Palhinha heading to Benfica, it looks like [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/21/fabrizio-romano-christopher-nkunku-newcastle-united-rumour/) might have put all their eggs in the Nico Gonzalez basket. The Magpies need a midfielder. And the Manchester City man is the only name they are being linked with at the moment who looks like an option.
Manchester City signed Gonzalez in a £50 million transfer deal not too long ago. But he has not been able to establish himself as a nailed-on starter for the club.
With Rodri leaving for Barcelona, will Man City be open to Gonzalez though? Or would they look to keep him and hand him a more prominent role in the team this season?
It looks like we have finally found the answer to those questions. And it will delight the Newcastle United supporters and boost the club’s chances of signing Gonzalez this summer.
According to [Craig Hope](https://x.com/CraigHope_DM/status/2090879899066118345), Man City have told Gonzalez that he can leave and talks with Newcastle United are continuing. One of three midfield options that the Magpies are looking at, but the 24-year-old is the leading target for now.
It has also been claimed that Gonzalez is open to a move but some of his Manchester City teammates have tried to talk him into staying.
So, all things considered, following that update, it does feel like Gonzalez is more likely to leave than stay. And it is very interesting just how many players Manchester City are letting go this summer.
One has to wonder if this is in preparation for a late move for Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea. If so, they need to get things done quickly.
Chelsea would not be willing to sanction a Fernandez exit very late in the window, as it would not leave them enough time to find a suitable replacement. That might help speed up the Gonzalez to Newcastle United move as well.
If Newcastle United are able to pull off the signing of Gonzalez this summer, it would have to be considered a major coup for the Magpies.
There are those who might feel that he has not done enough since arriving in the Premier League., which is fair. But at the same time, at 24 years of age, he has already played for FC Barcelona, Manchester City, FC Porto and Valencia.
Clearly, you need to have a lot of quality to do that. And in a team like Newcastle United, where he will be a starter from day one instead of having to fight for minutes, Gonzalez might end up playing his best football.