Arsenal are one of a number of clubs that have been linked with this Spanish La Liga striker in this season’s transfer rumours. However it was looking as though we would be one of the clubs to miss out on the Celta Vigo and Spain international star Nolito.
The player himself has made no secret of the fact that he would prefer to move to the current Spanish champions and so once Barcelona entered the fray then it seemed to be just a matter of time before Nolito moved to the Nou Camp. For some reason, though, the transfer talks have collapsed and Metro is reporting that Arsenal are now ready to make our own move.
We do not know why the talks with Barca have broken down but with the 29- year old having a release clause in his current Celta Vigo contract of less than £13 million it cannot be the price. Perhaps it is the wages or perhaps he believes that he would struggle for game time against the formidable Barca front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
However, his regular starting position for his club is in the left forward role, where Alexis Sanchez usually operates for Arsenal, so would he feel that his chances of playing for us are similarly limited? We should know in the next few days.