Premier League giants Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool are reportedly eyeing FC Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez as they seek to bolster their midfield options. According to The Hard Tackle, the young Spaniard, who joined Porto from FC Barcelona last July, has a release clause set at £60 million, which has piqued the interest of several top clubs in England.
Gonzalez's transfer agreement includes a 40 per cent sell-on clause for Barcelona, meaning the Catalan club stands to gain financially should Porto decide to sell him. Since his arrival in Portugal, Gonzalez has revitalised his career, establishing himself as a key figure in Porto’s midfield. Hailing from A Coruña, he began his football journey in local youth teams before spending a decade at Barcelona, where he progressed through the prestigious La Masia academy and made his first-team debut.
During his time at Barcelona, the 22-year-old faced difficulties in securing a consistent starting position, which ultimately led to his move to Porto nearly 18 months ago. Since joining the Portuguese side, Gonzalez has made over 50 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists—impressive statistics that have not gone unnoticed by Premier League scouts.
As Arsenal prepares for the 2025 summer transfer window, the club is reportedly on the lookout for midfield reinforcements to secure their future. With key players such as Jorginho and Thomas Partey nearing the end of their contracts and both over 30 years of age, identifying long-term successors has become a pressing priority. Gonzalez is among several candidates under consideration, alongside players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Aston Villa's interest in Gonzalez adds an intriguing layer to the transfer narrative. Following the acquisition of Amadou Onana during the summer transfer window, Villa's pursuit of Gonzalez may depend on potential departures from their current midfield lineup. The club's ambition to strengthen their squad further underlines their commitment to competing at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is also actively seeking to enhance their midfield options. Although Ryan Gravenberch has shown impressive form this season, manager Arne Slot is keen to deepen his squad's depth, making Gonzalez an appealing target.
With FC Porto open to negotiations for the midfielder given his £60 million release clause, the situation remains fluid. Should one of the interested Premier League clubs meet the asking price, a transfer could soon materialise. Additionally, Barcelona’s financial stake in Gonzalez’s future adds an intriguing dimension to this unfolding transfer saga, as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool look to strengthen their squads in anticipation of the upcoming season.