Manchester City have reportedly slapped down an approach from Chelsea for midfield prospect Nico O’Reilly.
The 19-year-old has been knocking on the door of Pep Guardiola’s first team this season with starts in the Community Shield, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. He opened his senior account against Salford City last month and has impressed with substitute appearances in the Premier League and in Europe.
According to ESPN, Chelsea have tested the waters regarding a move for O’Reilly, but they were knocked back by the reigning Premier League champions. However, it is said that City would be willing to sell the youngster if a buy-back clause is included in any potential deal.
Manchester-born O’Reilly has been part of City’s academy since 2011. His progress has seen him rewarded with England recognition, and he is capped up to Under-20 level with the Three Lions.
City have made buy-back clauses common practice when selling their top young talent in recent years. They reportedly had the option to bring Romeo Lavia back to the Etihad Stadium before his move to Stamford Bridge, and they have the same opportunity with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
The Blues have made a killing through selling off academy talent, with Lavia and Delap among those to fetch handsome fees in the transfer market. Those sales have left City in a healthy PSR position, which has funded their frivolous spending in the current window.
Guardiola has taken this turbulent season as his cue to instigate a squad rebuild. The club have spent big on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, while 18-year-old defender Juma Bah has been signed from Real Valladolid before being sent on loan to Lens.
And City now look set to solve arguably their biggest problem of the campaign, following Rodri’s ACL rupture, by signing an all-action midfielder. Fabrizio Romano claims that City and FC Porto have reached an agreement for Nico Gonzalez, which involves a £50million total package.
Gonzalez was always likely to command a hefty fee as his former club, Barcelona, will reportedly be due up to 40 per cent of it due to a sell-on clause they included in his move to Portugal.
The 23-year-old, who can play as a midfield anchor or as a box-to-box option, has scored five goals and laid on three assists in the league this term. He has also contributed to three goals in seven Europa League games.