Manchester City took their January spending to £180million after striking a deal worth £50.2m for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
The Premier League champions have spent more in this window than all other previous winter transfer markets combined under Pep Guardiola as they strive to get their season back on track.
Gonzalez, 23, underwent his medical in Portugal ahead of signing a five and a half year contract. Barcelona also received a 40 per cent sell-on as part of the deal.
A club statement read: ‘Manchester City is delighted to confirm the signing of Nico Gonzalez.
‘The Spaniard joins from Portuguese side FC Porto and has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Club until the summer of 2029.
‘A product of La Masia, Gonzalez made his debut for Barcelona B in 2019 and made 27 appearances. The midfielder made his debut for the first team in 2021, playing 37 times for the Catalan club.
Gonzalez spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Valencia before making the permanent switch to Portugal in the summer of 2023. The 23-year-old played 68 times for Porto, guiding them to the Taça de Portugal last season. He also scored nine goals and got nine assists during his time at the club.
The Spaniard will wear the number 14 shirt and is the Cityzens’ fourth January signing, following Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush to the Etihad Stadium.
González said: ‘This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career.
‘I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There’s no better club than Manchester City for me to do that.
‘Look at the squad they have here… it’s unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn’t a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this setup.
‘I know the reputation Pep has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team.
‘I am truly excited. I just want to meet my teammates, and the staff here and then I want to play in front of the City fans!’
City confirmed they had rejected a proposal from CHELSEA to sign their 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly at the weekend after the Stamford Bridge club refused to include a buy-back clause.
Chelsea though, swiftly moved on to agree a £12m fee with St Etienne for Mathis Amougou. A 19-year-old who has played for France at U18 level.
