Gonzalez has emerged as a possible midfield option for Newcastle United this summer
Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Guardiola praised Gonzalez’s progress last season but believes he needs greater self-confidence as Newcastle United explore a potential transfer for the player.
The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder, previously capped at under-21 level for Spain, has become a potential target for Newcastle’s midfield this summer, with preliminary discussions already underway.
While the move remains in its infancy and Newcastle assess various midfield possibilities, the former Porto player would undoubtedly strengthen their squad.
Newcastle’s need for a seasoned midfielder has intensified following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, and Gonzalez’s year and a half of Premier League experience with Manchester City positions him as an attractive candidate.
Gonzalez arrived at City in January last year for £50million, and despite making 41 appearances across all competitions last season, he started just two Premier League fixtures in 2026.
He featured as a substitute in City’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal in Sunday’s Community Shield, but with Enzo Maresca’s side pursuing Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, while already securing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Gonzalez may find his first-team opportunities increasingly limited at the Etihad.
City were determined to sign Gonzalez last year, with Guardiola particularly impressed by his qualities. This admiration was evident when Gonzalez scored a spectacular goal in their FA Cup semi-final victory over Southampton last season.
Guardiola indicated that Gonzalez needs to develop more belief in his own abilities. He noted that the player possesses exceptional qualities but sometimes plays too conservatively. Guardiola described a mindset where the player should approach games with the intention of shooting and scoring goals, suggesting that once Gonzalez makes this mental shift, he will be capable of regular first-team football. Guardiola expressed particular satisfaction with Gonzalez’s development during Rodri’s extended absence of six or seven months, noting that he has made significant progress, accumulated substantial playing time, and contributed greatly to the team, which has made him very pleased.
Ange Postecoglou, who was managing the game, drew comparisons between Gonzalez’s strike and Steven Gerrard’s memorable goal in Liverpool’s 2006 FA Cup final triumph over West Ham.
Postecoglou described the goal as reminiscent of Stevie G’s signature style, noting that in tight contested final third situations, sometimes one player must seize the moment. He observed that City typically favour intricate play around the box, but Gonzalez identified the opening and changed the course of the match.
Newcastle are eager to secure a midfielder, preferably before their Premier League kickoff against Liverpool on Sunday, and have also engaged in discussions regarding Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha.