Barcelona have set their sights on trying to sign Celta Vigo forward Nolito during the winter transfer window. Nolito remains Barca’s top target, with the Blaugrana keen to strengthen their attacking line-up.
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The Spain international has been in scintillating form, scoring seven goals and setting up four more in 11 La Liga starts for Celta this season.
When asked about Barca’s potential move for Nolito, Blaugrana technical director Robert Fernandez said to Catalan radio station RAC1: “There is a real possibility. We have the option to bring in reinforcements in the winter transfer window and we are working towards making some signings. We know what Nolito’s situation is.
“Nolito is a good player, he is going through a good spell and he is in the national team, which is an important factor.”
Nolito was linked with a return to the Nou Camp this summer after Spanish forward Pedro left Barca to join Chelsea. However, he would not have been able to play an official game for Barca until January 2016 because of a transfer ban imposed by FIFA on the Catalan giants.
The punishment was handed down after the club breached rules regarding the signings of under-age players.
Instead, Nolito remained at Celta and signed a contract extension with the Galician outfit until June 2019.
Nolito (Celta): “Luis Enrique taught me a lot at Barça B. He’s one of my football fathers. His advice was very important for me.” [sportium]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 11, 2015
Nolito, who has an €18 million buyout clause, is also being closely monitored by a host of European sides and is a reported target of Arsenal.
The 29-year-old would have no problems adapting to Barca or to coach Luis Enrique. Nolito made his La Liga debut in October 2010 with the Blaugrana after a three-year spell with the Barca ‘B’ side, where he scored 29 goals in 106 appearances. He left the team eight months later to join Benfica on a permanent transfer.
Nolito has worked under Luis Enrique while with the Barcelona B side, and at Celta in the 2013-14 campaign in his first season in Vigo. The Celta star has been called up to Spain’s latest squad.
