Hugo Viana faces major Nico Gonzalez dilemma as clubs line up for Manchester City midfielder

City will sign a midfielder this summer and are leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who has reportedly chosen the Etihad Stadium as his preferred destination.

The outcome of contract talks with Rodri will also likely dictate whether Manchester City decide to sign another midfielder as they also prepare for life beyond departing captain Bernardo Silva.

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali is also being monitored by Viana and co as the Italy international also mulls over his future after a poor campaign at St. James’ Park.

Will Man City sell Nico this summer?

Nico has struggled for minutes since January and was overlooked for Nico O’Reilly in midfield in last week’s 1-0 Premier League win away at Burnley – in City’s first game since Rodri went off with a calf injury against Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola issues career advice to Nico Gonzalez as Manchester City avoid Southampton FA Cup scare

The Spaniard joined City from Porto in January 2025 as an emergency squad reinforcement and has had to be patient for opportunities under Guardiola despite Rodri’s well-documented injury woes of the last 18-21 months.

Guardiola spoke highly of Nico after the midfielder’s match-winning strike against Southampton at Wembley but pointed that the Barcelona academy graduate “needs to trust “needs to believe in himself more”.

Whether Nico wants to spend another season as a squad player remains to be seen but interest from elsewhere will allow him the chance to assess his options as he embarks upon his second full campaign at the Etihad Stadium.