Newcastle United line up seventh summer signing after verbal agreement claim
Newcastle United are hopeful of reaching an agreement to sign the Manchester City midfielder this week.
Newcastle United have agreed a £50million deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
The Magpies want to sign an experienced midfielder following the high-profile departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, and identified Gonzalez as a leading target.
United previously held talks with Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but a move broke down over personal terms. They also made their interest known in Joao Palhinha, but he opted for a return to Portugal with Benfica.
But Newcastle are set to end their search with the arrival of Gonzalez. The Spaniard travelled to the North East on Tuesday evening to undergo his medical and finalise the move.
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Newcastle United in talks to sign Nico Gonzalez
The 24-year-old had been keen to stay at Man City having only joined from Porto for £50million 18 months ago. Both Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders have left the Etihad this summer, giving Gonzalez hope of landing a regular starting spot.
However, against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, Gonzalez was an unused substitute as he watched Marc Guehi - a recognised centre-back - play alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield. It was then communicated that the player was open to a switch to St James’ Park.
Enzo Maresca, who has succeeded Pep Guardiola as Man City manager in the summer, hinted last week that Gonzalez was available for transfer.
"Apart from Rodri, the rest all have in common one thing:, they didn't play a lot,” Maresca said. “We said many times, we just finished a session and they all work every day because at the end they want to play. When they don’t play, they probably prefer to leave.
“So the ones that you mentioned, except Rodri, the rest, they are all players for different reasons they didn’t play a lot.”
Gonzalez, who has represented Spain at under-21s level, came through the academy at Barcelona and went on to make 37 first-team appearances before joining Porto in 2023. He spent the season before he moved to Portugal on loan at Valencia.
At Porto, Gonzalez featured 68 times before Man City came calling in January 2025, however he has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI.
A week to go in the summer transfer window
Newcastle opened their Premier League season with a 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday, as Matthias Jaissle named a midfield pair of 18-year-old Sean Steur and 20-year-old Lewis Miley. The Magpies have also signed 20-year-old Aladji Bamba from AS Monaco, with the Frenchman coming on with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Joe Willock is another midfield option and came off the bench to score against the Reds but is facing an uncertain future amid serious transfer interest from Besiktas.
Elsewhere, Jacob Ramsey was also introduced from the bench early in the second half, though Jaissle was unable to call upon Joelinton with the Brazilian out for a couple of weeks through injury.
"I would love to answer that with a clear number, but it's depending also if players are leaving as well," Jaissle when asked about potential incomings last week. "For sure, there will be adjustments made, the needs are clear. The management knows about the needs and we are all aligned.