The Celta Vigo and Spanish international forward is currently with his national team in France, where he’s helped his side qualify to the knockout rounds of the European Championships. At the end of the competition he may be heading to England to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for their former striker Nolito, as they are looking to add more depth into their attacking lineup and acquire adequate backup for their superstar trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez. But the Blaugrana were facing competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the race for his signature.
Now, the Guardian understands that the Spanish international striker has reached an agreement with Manchester City, worth around £3 million a season, which will see him move to the Etihad Arena for three years with an option to increase it to four.
The striker has a release clause of £13.7 million, a figure City can easily meet given their financial backing and the fact that the 29-year-old is reportedly keen on linking up with Guardiola for his new City revolution.
If Nolito were to arrive, he would be Guardiola and City’s second signing of the summer after Ilkay Gundogan. A forward who can also be deployed as a left winger, the 29-year-old Manuel Agudo Durán has bloomed late in his career.
At only £13.7 million, this move may prove to be a bargain for the Citizens, given the amount of experience and skill Nolito brings into the squad. After spending most of his career with mid-table sides like Granada and Celta Vigo, a move to Premier League giants Manchester City would be a long overdue step up, in the player’s career
Navas Not Needed?
This may spell the end for Jesus Navas, with the winger expected to be sacrificed, as Guardiola looks to shape up the team according to his liking. The 30 year old is reportedly subject to interest from Italian giants AC and Inter Milan who are both trying to rebuild their squads.
According to Calciomercato.it(via Football Italia) both the Milan clubs are interested in acquiring the services of the World Cup winner, with City expected to recover, part of the £14.9 million they spent on bringing the player to Manchester in the summer of 2013.
More names are expected to leave the club, including the likes of Wilfried Bony, Pablo Zabaleta and Yaya Toure.
