Transfer News: Barcelona close to capturing Celta Vigo forward away from Arsenal

Celta Vigo forward Nolito is close to agreeing to a loan deal with La Liga champions Barcelona in the winter transfer window with an option of making the deal permanent next summer. Nolito is also attracting interest from English Premier League (EPL) giants Arsenal.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is believed to be ready to offer a sum of around £13.4 million (AU $27.8 million) for the Spaniard, according to independent.co.uk. Nolito has eight goals and five assists to his name in 15 appearances for Celta Vigo in La Liga this season. He has a shot accuracy of 61 percent, according to squawka.com.

Reputed Spanish reporter Guillem Balague has posted a different view on the matter in his Twitter account. According to the Spaniard, Arsenal was never interested in signing Nolito.

Nolito had a previous stint with Barcelona from 2008 – 2011, where he made five appearances for the Catalans. He also spent time with current Barcelona coach Luis Enrique in Barcelona’s B team.

Enrique has recently stated that he would like to add more depth to Barcelona’s forward line in the recent January transfer window. As the Catalan side is battling on all three fronts, Enrique wants to ensure that his forwards are well covered if any injuries come in the way.

“If any reinforcements are to come then I believe that right now we need to reinforce the attack. In order for reinforcements to arrive, we’ve got to negotiate and these are always difficult,” Luis Enrique said to The Mirror.

Barcelona is also reportedly interested in bringing back their former B team attacking midfielder Denis Suarez. Suarez, who features for the La Liga team Villareal, has a buy-back clause of £2.2 million (AU $4.5 million) which Barcelona is willing to trigger.

Meanwhile, Barcelona has also shown interest in signing Schalke’s Leroy Sane. The Catalans are willing to meet Schalke’s demand of £40million (AU $82.2 million) for the midfielder, according to reports.

Sane has scored four goals this season with 13 chances and four assists to his name. He has completed 237 passes with a pass accuracy of 81 percent.