City are willing to let Nico González leave the Etihad this summer.
Newcastle United have opened talks over a deal, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein. ESPN sources have since corroborated contact between the two clubs.
González arrived from Porto for £50m in January 2025 as cover for the injured Rodri. Pep Guardiola once called him a “mini Rodri” after a man-of-the-match display against — of all sides — Newcastle.
That hasn’t translated into a starting berth under Enzo Maresca. He played just 11 minutes in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, with Elliot Anderson and a 32-year-old Mateo Kovacic preferred in midfield.
City’s midfield rebuild is already advanced. Bernardo Silva has left for Real Madrid, Rodri’s move to Barcelona was confirmed on Tuesday, and Tijjani Reijnders is in Saudi Arabia finalising a switch to Al-Qadsiah.
City are also closing in on 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Should González follow them out, Maresca will have overseen an almost complete overhaul of the unit he inherited from Guardiola.
Newcastle’s need is straightforward. Matthias Jaissle has lost both Bruno Guimarães, sold to Arsenal for £75m, and Sandro Tonali this summer, replacing them so far only with teenagers Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba.
González’s versatility across a double pivot or in a more advanced role would add senior Premier League experience the squad is currently short of.
Talks are said to be at an early, exploratory stage — City assessing their options rather than pushing González toward the exit.
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