Nolito Could Be Latest to Join Guardiola’s Manchester City
Nolito’s sparkling form for Spain at Euro 2016 is making the Celta Vigo winger one to watch.
It appears that one of those watching the player intensively is Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. Nolito is no stranger to Guardiola as he was part of the Barcelona setup during the reign of Manchester City’s new coach. Despite only featuring twice for Barça whilst Guardiola was in charge, Nolito could well be heading to Manchester City to be reunited with his former coach.
It is Nolito’s international form over the last month that has raised his profile and the interest of Manchester City, as well as old club Barcelona, to win his signature. Nolito scored two goals in each warm up game for Spain against Bosnia & Herzegovina and South Korea.
Add to that his goal and an assist against Turkey and Nolito has 5 goals in his last 6 international appearances. Guardiola sees obvious synergy with David Silva and their partnership up front for La Roja.
Despite losing over two months during last season with an hamstring injury, Nolito netted 12 times in his 29 appearances for Celta Vigo. Nolito started the season in sparkling form. The left winger scored in 4 of the first five games including against former club Barcelona in a 4-1 victory. Having won La Liga’s Player of the Month in September 2015, the untimely injury curtailed what was looking to be a promising season. Nolito missed the entire Copa del Rey campaign and returned at the end of February.
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According to Celta Vigo’s club president, Carlos Mourino, the club will not sell the player for anything less than the contract clause but cannot stop him leaving if offers come in. The contractual trigger clause is set at €18 million (£14m / $20m). Mourino is sanguine over losing his prize asset. “If that happens, then fine, (although) he is a great player, and has three years left on his contract with us.”
With such a modest transfer fee, Nolito would be a cheaper acquisition that Guardiola’s other transfer targets: Leroy Sane from Schalke (£40m), Everton’s John Stones (£45m) or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang valued at £65m by Borussia Dortmund.
Competing for the signature of Nolito are is his ex-employer, Barcelona. He was the focus of negotiations in the January transfer window but no move was forthcoming.
Being Barcelona coach Luis Enrique’s top target, Nolito has stayed on their radar and they are aware of Celta’s unwillingness to move on any proposed transfer fee. A move back to the Nou Camp may be more appealing than a move to England for the player.
Having played outside of Spain previously at Portugal’s Benfica, his time away was not a resounding success. He lost his place in the Benfica squad in his second season and returned to La Liga on loan at Granada before joining Celta Vigo.
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Clearly, Nolito will not be playing for Celta Vigo next season. At 29 years of age, this move will be his last to a large club so Nolito will need to get it right. Manchester City and Barcelona are his current suitors but further good performances in Euro 2016 for Spain could encourage other European giants to show interest.