​As Manchester City reshapes its midfield this summer, some players are set to leave, and Nico Gonzalez appears to be among them. The Spanish midfielder has shown potential at City, but his playing time could be limited by the likely arrivals of Elliott Anderson and another midfielder as City seek options for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Given Nico’s prime years and the need for regular minutes to progress, a summer move might be in his best interests.
Nico experienced a season of two halves. In the first part of the 2025-26 campaign, he contributed solidly while Rodri was out with injuries, proving he could step in and operate effectively in Rodri’s role. He helped establish a foundation for City’s second-half success and demonstrated both technical and tactical capabilities to thrive in that position. However, the latter part of the season told a different story. As Rodri regained fitness, Nico found himself relegated to the bench, with Bernardo Silva also joining the midfield mix. While Nico had notable moments—such as a late thunderbolt in the FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton and strong showings against Newcastle in both the Carabao and FA Cup—he became increasingly overlooked as Pep Guardiola did not pair him with Rodri. He started just four of City’s final twelve Premier League games, illustrating his diminished standing in the squad’s midfield hierarchy as the season ended.
With City open to offers and actively pursuing midfield reinforcements this summer, a move away could suit Nico’s ambitions. He has proven he can perform at a high level for City, and under the new manager, Enzo Maresca, there might be a chance to reestablish himself—but that scenario seems unlikely to unfold in Manchester. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest City will listen to offers for Nico, especially as they remain in the market for midfielders to bolster the squad and continue their ongoing recruitment, including the near-signing of Elliott Anderson.