A detail of footballs at the NFL Experience fan festival ahead of Super Bowl LIX on February 07, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Tonight the Kansas City Chiefs will meet the Philadelphia Eagles for a date with history. The Chiefs are trying to become the first NFL team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, and the Eagles are eager to stop them and avenge their 2023 loss.
NPR and our member stations in Kansas City, Philadelphia and New Orleans will have highlights from the halftime show, the best (and worst…) commercials, and of course results for you throughout the night.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he runs onto the field prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
“If they win, this is like Michael Jordan, 1990s Chicago Bulls-type stuff — history that we will all look back on as one of the greatest runs of any sport ever, if they can get it done,” says NPR sports correspondent Becky Sullivan.
This time around, with 14 regular-season wins — and a blowout victory at the NFC Championship Game — under their belt, the Eagles have another shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Even non-football fans will have plenty to look forward to, from star-studded commercials to a halftime show headlined by Kendrick Lamar, fresh off his latest Grammy wins.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles smiles during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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NPR sports correspondent Becky Sullivan has some tips for what to watch for in this year’s game:
A close, back-and-forth game:All signs point to a close game. The Eagles defense aims to limit big gains and force teams to beat them with small plays. But that’s exactly how the Chiefs like to win: Kansas City is 12-0 in one-score games this season. The Kansas City defense is no slouch either, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has struggled at times when pressured.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes: The key to the Chiefs’ three-peat hopes is their 29-year-old quarterback who is great all the time but somehow even better in high-stakes moments: in the playoffs, on 3rd and 4th downs and on game-ending drives.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley: After Philadelphia signed him last spring, Barkley has blossomed into the game-changer he always had the potential to be. He became only the ninth player ever to rush for more than 2,000 yards in the regular season, and he has more 60-plus-yard touchdown runs in one season than any player ever.
Omelets and cheesesteaks — for free There’s nothing quite like a tailgate, where fans serve food to strangers who share the same passion. We went to a Philadelphia Eagles tailgate to learn what drives this uniquely American tradition.
Despite last month’s terrorist attack, Tourism in New Orleans remains strong
Today’s New Orleans is built on — and would suffer greatly without — tourism. About 17 million people visited New Orleans in 2022, spending more than $9 billion. Much of that happened during Mardi Gras, which made the New Year’s Day attack especially concerning since it happened right before the start of the tourism season. But so far, a little more than a month removed from the incident, the tourists are still coming.
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a highly anticipated showdown. Tune in to NPR for live updates, analysis, and commentary on this exciting match-up. Don’t miss a minute of the action as these two powerhouse teams go head to head on the gridiron. Stay tuned to NPR for all the latest on this must-watch game. Let’s see who comes out on top in this epic battle between the Chiefs and the Eagles. #ChiefsVsEagles #NFL #NPRsports.
Manchester City are working to thrash out a compromise with FC Porto to get a deal for midfielder Nico Gonzalez over the line before the transfer deadline, sources have told ESPN.
City have so far indicated they are reluctant to meet the release clause in Gonzalez’s contract — believed to be around €60 million ($62m). They value the 23-year-old at closer to €40m.
Porto do not want to accept a reduced fee because part of the payment will be owed to Gonzalez’s former club, Barcelona. The Spaniard moved to Portugal from La Liga in 2023 and a source has told ESPN that the payment owed to Barcelona if Gonzalez moves could be as high as 40% of the total transfer fee.
Sources have told ESPN that talks between the clubs are continuing on Monday. City have until 11 p.m. in the UK to get a deal over the line before the window closes.
City are also keeping an open mind about the possibility of signing Douglas Luiz from Juventus. A source has told ESPN that the Serie A side would have to accept an initial loan offer for the Brazilian with an option to make it permanent in the summer built into the deal.
Juventus have told Luiz’s potential suitors that they would prefer a permanent transfer or an obligation to make it permanent in the summer for a set fee.
Meanwhile, a source has told ESPN that City have knocked back an approach from Chelsea for 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly. City are open to letting O’Reilly leave, but want to include a buy-back option in any potential deal.
Nico Gonzalez: Man City pushing for cut-price Porto deal – sources
According to sources close to the negotiations, Manchester City are eager to secure a cut-price deal for Porto’s talented midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The 20-year-old Argentine has caught the eye of City’s scouting team with his impressive performances in the Portuguese league.
City are reportedly looking to take advantage of Porto’s financial difficulties and are hoping to strike a deal for Gonzalez at a lower price than his market value. The club sees him as a potential long-term replacement for Fernandinho in the midfield.
However, Porto are said to be holding out for a higher fee for Gonzalez, who has a release clause of €20 million. It remains to be seen whether City will be able to negotiate a deal that satisfies both parties.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing transfer saga.
Hello and welcome to the Transfermarkt deadline day live blog for the final day of the January 2025 transfer window. The past few weeks have had plenty of twists and turns but as we approach the final 24 hours of transfer business across Europe’s top leagues there are still a number of permanent transfers and loans that are still to get over the line. As such, we’ve put together this page to keep tabs on all of the stories that are unfolding across the continent.
21:49 – Malacia arrives in Eindhoven
Tyrell Malacia has arrived in the Netherlands to proceed in talks with PSV Eindhoven, ahead of a loan move from Man United for the Dutch left-back. The 25 year old has a current market value of €15 million.
21:07 – Batshuayi joins Bundesliga club Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt have signed former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi. The Bundesliga club managed to get that deal across the line just before the window shut in Germany. Batshuayi will join Frankfurt from Galatasaray in a deal worth €3m plus €500,000 in add-ons and has signed a contract until 2027. The striker is supposed to help fill the void left by Omar Marmoush, who left Frankfurt and joined Man City in a deal worth €70m in January.
20:48 – Willian close to Fulham return
According to Sky, 36 year old winger Willian is close to a return to Fulham on deadline day. The Brazilian left Craven Cottage in 2024, having scored nine goals in 58 games for the Premier League side.
20:10 – Axel Disasi close to Aston Villa loan
Reports suggest a deal is in place on loan with his salary covered for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi to join Aston Villa, with the Midlands club matching the loan fee offered by Tottenham. Disasi said no to Spurs all day long as he only wanted to join Aston Villa since 10 days ago. No buy option is thought to be included.
Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund have loaned Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea until the end of the season. Both clubs made the deal official after the transfer window closed in Germany. The loan deal includes an option to buy worth a reported £40m.
19:28 – Fulham approach AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze
Reports from Fabrizio Romano suggest Fulham have approached AC Milan to sign winger Samuel Chukwueze. Negotiations are rumoured to be ongoing between all parties involved with a short time now to make it happen. He has a current market value of €18m.
18:59 – Marco Asensio completes Aston Villa move
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Spanish winger Marco Asensio on loan from Paris St-Germain until the end of the season. The 29 year old scored seven goals in 47 appearances for PSG, since joining from boyhood club Real Madrid in 2023.
18:20 – Feyenoord consider West Ham’s Guilherme
Feyenoord are reportedly considering a move for West Ham teenager Luis Guilherme. The eighteen-year-old attacker is considered a player of the highest order by the Eredivisie side, and has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
17:41 – Man Utd defender set to depart on loan
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia is set to depart the club before the end of the transfer window to join Eredivisie side PSV on loan for the remainder of the season.
17:06 – Chelsea recall David Fofana from Turkish club
Chelsea forward David Fofana has been recalled from his loan spell at Turkish side, Goztepe S.K. An Ivory Coast international, Fofana joined the Blues in January 2023 and made four first-team appearances during the remainder of that season.
16:40 – Mario Lemina to leave Wolves
Galatasaray are poised to complete the signing of Mario Lemina from Wolves on loan. It’s understood that the Turkish giants will pay a loan fee of around €2.5m with Lemina to remain at Galatasaray until the end of the season.
16:09 – Chelsea close in on 19 year old midfielder Amougou
Reports from Sky and other outlets suggest Chelsea are closing in on 19 year old Saint Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou, with the deal close to being completed. The fee is expected to be around €15m, with the final details being sorted.
15:47 – González undergoing Man City Medical
According to The Athletic, Spanish midfielder Nico González is undergoing a medical in Portugal, ahead of a proposed deadline say move from Porto to Manchester City. The deal is not fully done, but Man City are now closing in on the Porto midfielder; fee expected to be around €60m & a long-term contract has reportedly been agreed for the 23 year old.
15:25 – Milan reach agreement with Chelsea for Felix
The Athletic are reporting that AC Milan have reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea to sign Joao Felix on loan for the remainder of the season. The deal does not include an option to buy but will requite the Italian giants to pay a loan fee of €5.5m for the striker’s services.
14:51 – Tel set for Tottenham move
Mathys Tel is now expected to make a dramatic last-minute move to Tottenham before the end of the January transfer window. The French striker reportedly turned down a move to Spurs last week, but the BBC are now reporting that the Premier League side have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to loan the player for the remainder of the season.
14:00 – Ferguson joins West Ham
Evan Ferguson has completed his loan move to West Ham United. The Irishman joins the Hammers on a straight loan deal until the end of the season from Brighton. The 20-year-old will be reunited with Graham Potter, who handed Ferguson his Premier League debut.
13:30 – Cherki staying at Lyon
There’s been significant speculation that Rayan Cherki could leave Lyon during the winter window. Borussia Dortmund were interested in the talented attacking midfielder but Lyon owner John Textor has confirmed that Cherki will stay in France. He said: “We rejected Borussia Dortmund offer and we do not intend to negotiate with them or any other club”.
13:00 – Man United reject striker bid
Manchester United have turned down an approach for young striker Gabriele Biancheri from Como. The 18-year-old is highly rated at Old Trafford and United are unwilling to allow him to leave on a permanent basis.
12: 40 – Felix to depart Chelsea
Joao Felix is set to join AC Milan on-loan until the end of the season. The 25-year-old is unhappy with his lack of game time at Chelsea and they’ve agreed to a loan exit. Felix was in attendance at the San Siro on Sunday night for the Milan derby.
12:15 – Wolves set to land defender
Nasser Djiga is on the verge of joining Wolves from Red Star Belgrade. The €7 million valued star is on his way to England to complete his medical with Wolves set to land a new centre-back after missing out on Kevin Danso to Tottenham
11:40 – Ward-Prowse returns to West Ham
James Ward-Prowse is back at West Ham after an agreement was reached with Nottingham Forest to terminate his loan deal. Ward-Prowse made ten appearances for Forest this season but he barely featured in recent months.
10:55 – City chase González deal
Manchester City are continuing their attempts to sign Nico González. Pep Guardiola wants to add the 23-year-old to bolster his midfield options with Rodri still sidelined. Talks are continuing between the two clubs but Porto are holding firm in their valuation.
10:35 – Tottenham Guehi bid rejected
Crystal Palace have rejected a significant bid from Tottenham for Marc Guehi. The England international was subject to major interest from Newcastle in the summer but Spurs want to sign him on deadline day. But Palace are holding firm despite the fact that Guehi’s contract expires in 2026.
10:15 – Brighton sign Tzimas
Brighton have signed young Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas. The 19-year-old talent is on loan at German second-tier club FC Nuremberg from PAOK in Greece. Due to the details of his current loan deal, the 2.Bundesliga club will technically sign him for a set fee, before then selling him on to Brighton today for a rumoured €25m.
10:05 – Chelsea starlet to join Dortmund
Carney Chukwuemeka is posed to join Borussia Dortmund on-loan from Chelsea. The former Aston Villa midfielder is currently in Germany to complete his medial ahead of signing for the Bundesliga club until the end of the season.
9:10 – Villa defender heads to Leipzig on loan
Aston Villa have confirmed that young defender Kosta Nedeljkovic has departed the club to join RB Leipzig on loan for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old talent only made the move to the Premier League side last year, when he signed from Red Star for €7.6m but after just 10 games with Villa he now seems set for a future in the Bundesliga. The deal reported as an agreement attached that will allow Leipzig to buy Nedeljkovic in the summer.
One of the biggest rumours to start the day is news that Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell will be departing Stamford Bridge before the end of the window. According to the Telegraph, the England international is set for a loan move to Crystal Palace, having been entirely overlooked by Enzo Maresca this season.
Welcome to Transfermarkt deadline day live blog! We have some exciting transfer news to bring to you as the deadline approaches.
First up, it looks like Willian could be on the move once again, with reports suggesting he is close to a return to Fulham. The Brazilian winger previously had a successful spell at the club and could be set for a reunion with his former teammates.
In other news, it seems that González is edging closer to a move to Manchester City. The talented midfielder has been linked with a number of top clubs, but it looks like City have won the race for his signature. This could be a huge coup for Pep Guardiola’s side as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the deadline approaches!
Manchester City have reportedly slapped down an approach from Chelsea for midfield prospect Nico O’Reilly.
The 19-year-old has been knocking on the door of Pep Guardiola‘s first team this season with starts in the Community Shield, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. He opened his senior account against Salford City last month and has impressed with substitute appearances in the Premier League and in Europe.
According to ESPN, Chelsea have tested the waters regarding a move for O’Reilly, but they were knocked back by the reigning Premier League champions. However, it is said that City would be willing to sell the youngster if a buy-back clause is included in any potential deal.
Manchester-born O’Reilly has been part of City’s academy since 2011. His progress has seen him rewarded with England recognition, and he is capped up to Under-20 level with the Three Lions.
City have made buy-back clauses common practice when selling their top young talent in recent years. They reportedly had the option to bring Romeo Lavia back to the Etihad Stadium before his move to Stamford Bridge, and they have the same opportunity with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
The Blues have made a killing through selling off academy talent, with Lavia and Delap among those to fetch handsome fees in the transfer market. Those sales have left City in a healthy PSR position, which has funded their frivolous spending in the current window.
Guardiola has taken this turbulent season as his cue to instigate a squad rebuild. The club have spent big on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, while 18-year-old defender Juma Bah has been signed from Real Valladolid before being sent on loan to Lens.
And City now look set to solve arguably their biggest problem of the campaign, following Rodri’s ACL rupture, by signing an all-action midfielder. Fabrizio Romano claims that City and FC Porto have reached an agreement for Nico Gonzalez, which involves a £50million total package.
Gonzalez was always likely to command a hefty fee as his former club, Barcelona, will reportedly be due up to 40 per cent of it due to a sell-on clause they included in his move to Portugal.
The 23-year-old, who can play as a midfield anchor or as a box-to-box option, has scored five goals and laid on three assists in the league this term. He has also contributed to three goals in seven Europa League games.
In a shocking turn of events on deadline day, Manchester City have reportedly rejected Chelsea’s approach for one of their star players. However, sources close to the situation have revealed that City are open to striking an agreement with the London club under certain terms.
According to reports, Chelsea made a last-minute bid for the player in question, but City swiftly turned down the offer. Despite this initial rejection, it is understood that City are willing to negotiate with Chelsea if certain conditions are met.
The terms laid out by City include a substantial transfer fee, as well as the inclusion of a player exchange or potential add-ons to sweeten the deal. It is believed that City are determined to get the best possible deal for their player and are open to discussions with Chelsea to reach a compromise.
As the deadline day drama unfolds, both clubs will be looking to reach an agreement that suits all parties involved. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Chelsea are reportedly plotting a last-ditch move for Manchester City star Nico O’Reilly as Enzo Maresca’s side scramble to add to their midfield options.
As we have reported over the past month, the Blues are keen to bring in more reinforcements in the middle of the park before the window slams shut.
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has been targeted by Chelsea but they appear reluctant to match his £70m price tag and it’s expected he will stay at Old Trafford.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have turned to Man City youngster O’Reilly as an alternative and are ‘working’ on a deal ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
He also notes that Saint-Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou remains on Chelsea’s shortlist
“Chelsea keep working on new midfielder with enquiry made to Man City for 2005 born midfielder Nico O’Reilly,” Romano posted on X.
“Man City don’t want to lose future control on the player — not an easy deal. Follows enquiry made for Mathis Amougou reported last week, still on list.”
Chelsea are running out of time to sign a new midfielder
TEAMtalk transfer insider Fraser Fletcher reported earlier this week that Chelsea harbour ambitions of bringing in another midfielder and striker before the end of the window.
The Blues don’t have a lot of cover in midfield due to Romeo Lavia being sidelined with another injury, so there is a lot of reliance on Moises Caicedo at the moment.
Chelsea are therefore trying to bring in a new midfielder before Monday night and Romano’s report suggests that Man City youngster O’Reilly is a key target.
The 19-year-old is highly regarded by Man City but has found it very difficult to break into the first team this season, making just six appearances across all competitions so far.
It is so far unclear how much Man City will ask for to sell O’Reilly in the coming hours but they will hope that he doesn’t become a superstar if he does join Chelsea, as Cole Palmer has done after making the switch to Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Chelsea round-up: Disasi rejects Tottenham / Chukwuemeka wants Dortmund
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Tottenham agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign defender Axel Disasi on loan until the end of the season.
However, it’s claimed that Disasi decided to REJECT the move to Spurs as he has already agreed personal terms with Aston Villa and has no desire to join up with Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Chelsea, however, aren’t willing to let the defender join Villa as they don’t want to strengthen a direct rival, so Disasi could be left in limbo unless another team comes in for him.
In other news, Borussia Dortmund have emerged as frontrunners to sign Chelsea midfielder Chukwuemeka on loan.
TEAMtalk understands that Chukwuemeka is very interested in joining Dortmund and that would be his preference over joining another Premier League side on loan.
Chelsea transfer quiz: Higher or lower?
Blues plotting late move for Man City midfielder as Fabrizio Romano drops major update
In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea are reportedly plotting a late move for a Manchester City midfielder as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano drops a major update on the situation.
According to Romano, Chelsea are looking to bolster their midfield options before the transfer window closes, and have identified a City midfielder as a potential target. While the identity of the player in question has not been revealed, it is believed that the Blues are keen on adding some depth and quality to their midfield.
This news comes as a shock to many, as City are known for their reluctance to sell key players to direct rivals. However, Chelsea seem determined to push through a deal and are reportedly in talks with the player’s representatives.
It remains to be seen whether this late move will materialize, but Chelsea fans will be hoping that Romano’s update is a sign of exciting things to come in the final days of the transfer window. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Authorities across Southwest Florida on Monday shared they are searching for a toddler whom they believe was abducted from Fort Myers, adding they believe an adult companion fled with the child into Cape Coral.
Cape Coral Police and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office are assisting Fort Myers Police in the search for 2-year-old Camilla Guzman.
According to Cape Coral Police, the suspect, Luis Valentin, 24, fled into Cape Coral, and added that the two were last seen near the 500 block of Southeast Fifth Avenue, behind the Cultural Park Theater.
Fort Myers Police said Valentin was last seen wearing gray shorts with a white or black T-shirt possibly wearing slides. Valentin has a brown fade haircut, brown goatee, a lion tattoo on one side of his throat and “Princess” tattooed on the other.
Authorities have set up a perimeter and are actively searching. Cape Coral Police urge anyone with information to contact Fort Myers Police at (239) 321-7700.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
Child abduction is a terrifying and heartbreaking reality that unfortunately knows no boundaries. Recently, a case of child abduction has crossed city lines, leaving families and communities on edge.
When a child is taken from their home or school, the entire city is affected. Parents fear for the safety of their own children, schools implement stricter security measures, and law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to track down the perpetrator.
It is a reminder that we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting our children. We must educate them about personal safety, monitor their online activity, and report any suspicious behavior to authorities.
As a community, we must come together to support the families affected by child abduction and work towards preventing future incidents. Let us stand united in the fight against this heinous crime and ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
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child abduction, city lines, child safety, missing children, child abduction prevention, community safety, child protection, child abduction awareness, city crime, child abduction statistics, child abduction news
Manchester City expect to seal a deal to sign Porto’s Nico González, with the fee set to be the midfielder’s release clause of about £50m.
City are thought to have been reluctant to pay the clause but are poised to do so to add the former Barcelona player to their squad.
The 23-year-old would bolster Pep Guardiola’s options because he can operate as a defensive, central or attacking player. After Rodri’s season-ending knee injury, the manager is light in midfield.
He can call on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, the veterans Ilkay Gündogan and Kevin De Bruyne, and the utility player Rico Lewis, whom Guardiola has fielded in the position on occasion.
In January City signed the forward Omar Marmoush for €70m (£59.1m) plus €5m in add-ons from Eintracht Frankfurt and the defenders Vitor Reis, bought from Palmeiras for £29.6m, and Abdukodir Khusanov, signed for £33.8m from Lens, for a total of £122.5m.
Manchester City are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Porto’s promising midfielder Nico González for a fee of around £50 million. The 19-year-old Argentine has caught the eye of City’s scouts with his impressive performances in Portugal, and it is believed that a deal could be completed in the coming weeks.
González, who has been compared to City’s own midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, is seen as a long-term investment for the Premier League champions. His technical ability, vision, and passing range make him an ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s possession-based style of play.
If the transfer goes through as expected, González would join a star-studded City squad that already boasts the likes of De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva in midfield. The youngster would have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business and continue his development under the guidance of Guardiola.
City fans will no doubt be excited at the prospect of adding yet another talented young player to their ranks, as the club looks to maintain their dominance in English and European football. Stay tuned for further updates on this potential transfer.
Manchester City are hopeful of concluding a Deadline Day deal for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
Talks were understood to be ongoing between the clubs on Monday over the transfer fee.
Sky Sports News previously reported City, who lost 5-1 to Arsenal on Sunday, do not want to meet the midfielder’s £50m release clause.
Gonzalez has been included in the Porto squad to face Rio Ave on Monday night.
Man City have already spent £130m in this transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
City have been exploring their options in the market for a new No 6 with former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, one of a number of midfielders they have been looking into.
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Kevin Hatchard talks Sky Sports News through his pick of ‘Players to Watch’ on Transfer Deadline Day
However, Gonzalez could now be on his way to the Etihad Stadium as City look to continue their January spending spree.
The 23-year-old joined Barcelona’s academy in 2013 and made 27 appearances for the club before joining Porto in a deal worth €8.5m in 2023.
One element to negations is the fact Barcelona would be due 40 per cent of any fee received by Porto for the midfielder.
The Portuguese side also have the option to purchase an additional 20 at any point, reducing Barca’s cut on a possible transfer to 20 per cent.
Merson: City panicking badly on Gonzalez
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson on Deadline Day:
“I’ve not seen this lad play so don’t know too much about him. But they need players in midfield. A lot of people say it’s not just Rodri. It is just Rodri.
“Rodri sees danger, Rodri is disciplined, Rodri stays in the centre, he gets forward and sits back and protects the backline as well, and he passes the ball through the line very quickly.
“I like Mateo Kovacic, but he will go over and dribble with the ball and people end up all out of position. He and Bernardo Silva get just ruined in the last 30 minutes at Arsenal.
“If you take away the 30 minutes and first 20, City were very good at Arsenal. It was a good away performance. But that takes away the first 20 minutes when they could have been out of the game, and the last 30 minutes – so it’s not much in between that.
“The issue is that Gonzalez comes in for £50m, as soon as Rodri’s fit, that’s it. I don’t think he plays. Unless you play them together and I don’t think you need to.
“This is the problem with wages and buying players, you forget that by the start of next season, this guy is sitting on the bench with big money. You then look at James McAtee with a brilliant young future and they will have to sell him for the fair play rules. It’s a knock-on effect. If they buy Gonzalez, they must be panicking badly to get into the top four.”
Sky Sports’ Tim Sherwood on Deadline Day:
“You can’t compare the Portuguese league with the Premier League. It’s a risk, especially in January.
“What exactly are City signing Gonzalez for? Unless you’re going to bring in someone who is better than what you’ve got and will beat Real Madrid in a Champions League play-off game, other than that they’ve got nothing else to play for.
“They can’t beat Real Madrid with the midfield they had yesterday. They have to find something different to that. But are they ever going to find someone good enough to do that in this transfer market? Absolutely not.
“Douglas Luiz would be the no-risk one because he knows the Premier League, but it looks like that is not going to get done. When everyone’s fit, Gonzalez isn’t going to play and they will ship him out again.”
Or is it a perfect fit for Man City?
European football expert Kevin Hatchard on Sky Sports News:
“It’s an absolute fit, he could do a really good job for them. Pep Guardiola has been an admirer of him for some time, City have been as well.
“He’s been linked with a move to City since he was a youth player so he’s a really interesting figure who has matured at Porto. He has made some forward steps there and could be a really good player.”
Statman Dave speaking on Sky Sports News:
“He fits in perfectly. He came in through the Barcelona youth academy and is tall. He does remind me a little bit of Rodri, there’s a likeness there in terms of his size and his command of the ball.
“Yes, there’s a lot of work to do with him but you think of getting another body in defensive midfield – City need that right now. We saw how bad their rest defence was against Arsenal. How many times were they caught three-on-two?
“He’s a player that can come in, play football the Guardiola way and evolve. You look at City’s window – two centre-backs, one of the best attackers in Europe in Omar Marmoush and a defensive midfielder.”
‘Negotiations tricky in City’s pursuit of Gonzalez’
Sky Sports News’ Ben Ransom at Man City’s training ground:
“He’s a player Man City really like.
“Midfield has been a problem for City this season in the absence of the injured Rodri, so Gonzalez fits the bill. He’s a player City have scouted extensively.
“Gonzalez’s dad, Fran, who was a player for Deportivo, has worked in City’s academy and City, when Nico was 14 and 16 tried to sign him twice.
“He has now impressed at Porto in the 18 months since his move from Barcelona.
“It’s the move from Barca that actually makes this move tricky because negotiations are revolving over the fee. The player has a £50m release clause and as it stands Porto want that paid in full.
“That’s due in part because Barcelona have a 40 per cent sell-on clause, so that would be quite a chunk on any potential fee.
“There’s also a second element to this deal where Porto can buy half of that fee from Barca for €6m. So, essentially, they can reduce that outlay to €18m IF City pay the full release clause.
“However, City are playing hardball. They don’t want to meet that valuation as things stand.
“This deal is a bit of a wait-and-see. One source has told me that if City do not meet the release clause the deal would be off and that would be their transfer window over.
“But this is transfer deadline day and we know money talks. The two clubs are talking so there could still be some movement.”
Manchester City are reportedly hopeful of completing a Deadline Day signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The 20-year-old Argentine has been on the radar of the Premier League champions for some time now, and it appears that a deal could be in the works.
Gonzalez has impressed with his performances for Porto this season, showcasing his technical ability and composure on the ball. His potential has caught the eye of City’s scouts, who see him as a long-term prospect for the club.
With just hours left in the transfer window, City are working hard to finalize a deal for Gonzalez. The midfielder’s representatives are said to be in talks with the club, and there is optimism that an agreement can be reached before the deadline passes.
If the deal goes through, Gonzalez would provide City with additional depth in midfield and give manager Pep Guardiola more options in the middle of the park. His arrival would be a welcome boost for the team as they look to defend their Premier League title and compete for silverware on multiple fronts.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing transfer saga as Deadline Day unfolds. City fans will be hoping that Gonzalez arrives at the Etihad Stadium to bolster their squad for the rest of the season.
Manchester City are close to an agreement to sign midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Porto.
The Athletic reported earlier today (Monday) that City were attempting to complete a deadline day move for Gonzalez, with negotiations ongoing.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue and while a deal is not yet done it is advancing towards a conclusion.
The 23-year-old is capable of playing in both the No. 6 and No. 8 positions and fits the profile of midfielder City are looking for.
City have been weighing up a move for a midfielder during the winter window, with Pep Guardiola’s squad short on options following the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained by Rodri in September.
Juventus’s Douglas Luiz was one of multiple options being considered before Gonzalez emerged as City’s primary target.
Gonzalez is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia youth system and made 37 first-team appearances for the Catalan club before spending 2022-23 on loan at Valencia. He then joined Porto in the summer of 2023.
City have had a busy January window, signing centre-backs Vitor Reis, Juma Bah and Abdukodir Khusanov from Palmeiras, Real Valladolid and and Lens respectively, while also adding forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.
GO DEEPER
City needed a new midfielder six weeks ago. Now it’s deadline day and they still need one
(Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images)
According to multiple reports, Manchester City are on the verge of reaching an agreement to sign Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The 19-year-old Argentine has been highly sought after by several top European clubs, but it appears that City have made significant progress in their pursuit of the talented youngster.
Gonzalez, who has been dubbed as a rising star in the football world, has impressed with his performances for Porto this season. His technical ability, vision, and passing range have caught the eye of City’s scouts, who see him as a potential long-term replacement for their aging midfield.
While the deal is not yet finalized, it is believed that City are close to agreeing on a transfer fee with Porto and personal terms with Gonzalez. If all goes well, the young midfielder could be wearing the sky-blue jersey of Manchester City in the near future.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as City look to bolster their squad with another exciting young talent.
Manchester City are working to complete the signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez before Monday’s transfer deadline with a view to boosting Pep Guardiola’s faltering midfield. The English champions are yet to reach a breakthrough with Porto in talks that began on Sunday and there is no guarantee that they will be able to secure an agreement before the window closes at 6 p.m. ET.
Gonzalez has a release clause in his contract understood to be worth $61.5 million and City would have the option to simply activate that if they cannot find a breakthrough in talks with Porto. That would require them to pay the lump sum in one go, something which would be within their means but would constitute a serious commitment. Historically City are not a club willing to overpay to add to their squad.
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Equally, City’s midfield evidently needs strengthening after Sunday’s 5-1 demolition at the hands of Arsenal. Gonzalez is a strong, dynamic presence in the center of the park, his five goals and three assists suggesting a player who can make a big contribution in the penalty area as well.
Complicating matters for Porto is the presence of a sell on clause to Barcelona, through whose academy Gonzalez developed before making his senior debut. It is believed that the Portuguese side would be obliged to hand 40 percent of any sale fee to Barcelona, heightening the pressure for them to receive as big a fee as possible.
Amid onfield struggles, City have been notably active in January, adding three players to Guardiola’s squad already for a combined $150 million. Defenders Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah have already arrived, the latter joining Lens on loan. Forward Omar Marmoush was also signed from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Manchester City are reportedly eyeing up Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez as the Monday transfer deadline approaches. The Premier League champions are said to be keen on adding the Argentine youngster to their squad before the window closes.
Gonzalez, who is just 19 years old, has been impressing at Porto with his performances in midfield. City see him as a potential long-term prospect who could develop into a key player for the club in the future.
With just days left before the transfer deadline, City are said to be working hard to secure a deal for Gonzalez. The midfielder is believed to be open to a move to the Etihad Stadium and could provide valuable depth in City’s midfield ranks.
It remains to be seen whether City will be able to complete a deal for Gonzalez before Monday’s deadline, but fans will be hoping that they can get the deal over the line in time. Stay tuned for further updates as the transfer deadline looms.
