Barcelona’s Contract Oversight Costs Millions in Nico Gonzalez Transfer to Manchester City

Barcelona reportedly missed out on a significant sum from Nico Gonzalez’s £50 million transfer to Manchester City due to a contractual oversight. The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder completed a move to the Etihad from Porto on transfer deadline day.

Gonzalez, a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, made 37 appearances for the Catalan club before being sold to Porto for £7 million in 2023 as Barcelona sought to address their financial difficulties. The Spanish giants included a clause entitling them to 40% of Gonzalez’s next transfer fee.

However, reports suggest Barcelona will now receive only 20% of the £50 million fee. This is because Porto acquired half of Barcelona’s sell-on clause for just £2.5 million prior to selling Gonzalez to City. As a result, Barcelona will receive £10 million instead of the expected £20 million.

Including Porto’s acquisition of the clause, Barcelona’s total earnings from the transfer amount to £12.5 million – £7.5 million less than anticipated. This financial setback is likely to frustrate club officials, especially given Barcelona’s ongoing monetary challenges.

The situation is further complicated by a buy-back clause Barcelona had included in Gonzalez’s initial transfer to Porto. This £25 million option could have allowed Barcelona to re-sign and then sell Gonzalez to City for a £25 million profit. However, Porto’s earlier move to acquire half of the sell-on clause also invalidated this option.

Upon joining Manchester City, Gonzalez expressed his excitement about the move, citing the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola and play alongside world-class talents as key factors in his decision.