Man City get their man! Ex-Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez completes €60m deadline day move from Porto as Pep Guardiola finally finds Rodri replacement

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been a huge miss for City this season during his injury-enforced absence. Positive progress is being made in his recovery from knee ligament damage, with the Spain international set to be named in City’s squad for Champions League knockout stages.

Rodri is, however, about to be joined at the Etihad Stadium by a fellow countryman who can operate in the same holding role. Nico, who is a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy system,has sealed a deadline day move to England.

He told the club's website: “This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career. I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There’s no better club than Manchester City for me to do that.  Look at the squad they have here. It’s unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn’t a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up. I know the reputation Pep has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team.  I am truly excited. I just want to meet my teammates, and the staff here and then I want to play in front of the City fans!” 

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Nico is a very talented young midfielder. He is an ideal acquisition for Manchester City. It was a difficult transfer to complete because his performances this season have been outstanding and he has been such an important part of what FC Porto are doing. We are really happy we have managed to get this done before the window closed.  He is ready to help us in the second half of the season as we compete in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.”

Spain Under-21 international Nico will become the latest big-money addition at the Etihad Stadium. Despite having 115 Financial Fair Play charges hanging over their head, City have splashed out on Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov during the winter transfer window.