Paul Merson slams Premier League club for deadline day ‘panic buy’ as former Arsenal star claims the £50m signing ‘will not play’

Paul Merson has criticised a Premier League club for completing a ‘panic buy’ on the deadline of the winter transfer window.

The former Arsenal star has cast doubts over the team’s latest transfer, highlighting one signing that, in his opinion, will not have much time on the pitch.

Speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday, Merson referred to Manchester City, which had a restless winter, sealing the deals with Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez, spending approximately £180million throughout the window.

He specifically asked whether Gonzalez’s transfer was needed, considering the £50.2m spent on the ex-Porto player.

Merson said: ‘I’ve not seen this lad play so don’t know too much about him. But they need players in midfield. A lot of people say it’s not just. It is just Rodri.

‘Rodri sees danger, Rodri is disciplined, Rodri stays in the centre, he gets forward and sits back and protects the backline as well, and he passes the ball through the line very quickly.

The Citizens announced the Spaniard’s transfer on the club’s X account at 11pm on Monday 

The former Arsenal star then praised Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic despite the disappointing 5-1 defeat by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday

‘The issue is that Gonzalez comes in for £50m, as soon as Rodri’s fit that’s it. I don’t think he plays. Unless you play them together and I don’t think you need to. 

‘This is the problem with wages and buying players, you forget that by the start of next season, this guy is sitting on the bench with big money.’

Despite an unusual for the Citizens 5th place in the Premier League table and a surprise 5-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, Merson thinks Pep Guardiola’s band did not need reinforcements in midfield.

He praised Bernando Silva and Mateo Kovacic’s levels, despite admitting their notable underperformance in the last 30 minutes of the game at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal icon added: ‘You then look at McAtee with a brilliant young future and they will have to sell him for the fair play rules. It’s a knock-on effect. If they buy Gonzalez, they must be panicking badly to get into the top four.’

Gonzalez became a significant interest of the big club during this campaign at Porto, scoring seven goals and delivering five assists in 29 games.

The La Masia academy product kicked off his career at FC Barcelona in 2021-22, playing in 37 matches throughout his first season.

He later joined Valencia on a loan deal for a season before ultimately moving to Portugal permanently.

The Spaniard became City’s fourth winter signing after Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis

The Spaniard signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, and it is understood that Barcelona received a significant amount as part of the deal.

Speaking to the club’s website, Gonzalez said: ‘This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career.

‘There isn’t a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up.

‘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.’