Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Newcastle United and Manchester City will hold talks over the next 24 to 48 hours to try advance on a transfer deal for Nico Gonzalez, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It has been a summer of change on Tyneside with multiple high-profile exits and also a change in management after Matthias Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe at the helm.
Newcastle have been busy in the transfer market with six new signings moving to St James' Park in the wake of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes' exits.
The loss of the influential trio could prove huge for the Magpies, with the club facing a huge task to get back on track and move back up the table after such a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.
When it comes to a new midfield addition, Man City midfielder Gonzalez could be the man to come in and replace Guimaraes with Newcastle in talks to sign the Spaniard.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided the latest on the pursuit of Gonzalez when speaking on the latest episode of GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast, stating that City's transfer valuation will have to be met after losing fellow midfielders Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders this summer.
"They need to replace Bruno Guimaraes. They tried for several midfielders," said Romano. "[Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg decided at the moment to stay at Marseille, then they had some contacts for [Joao] Palhinha, so they considered several options.
"I think now Nico for sure is the most prominent name on their shortlist. They had contacts with the agents. They had contacts with Manchester City.
"So there will be contacts between Newcastle and Man City again today, and I think in the next 24-48 hours to try advance on this deal."
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Nico Gonzalez's 2025/26 season in numbers
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What Newcastle will get in Gonzalez
via Reuters
Newcastle will be signing a very talented midfielder if they can clinch a deal for Gonzalez.
A player who wasn't in the spotlight at Manchester City with Rodri ahead of him in the pecking order, he did come into the team and make a big impression in the absence of his fellow countryman.
That's what he certainly did in the FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton as he scored a screamer, with Pep Guardiola waxing lyrical about him after the game.
"Nico has to believe more in himself," said Guardiola in an interview with TNT Sports. "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."