Celta Vigo forward Nolito has come across as one of Pep Guardiola‘s key targets for his Manchester City side, The Sun reports.
The British newspaper writes that the 29-year old has been in talks with Guardiola towards a move to England. His form in 2015-16 led to speculation linking him back to Barça but the deal never came to fruition.
Both were a part of the Barcelona side that won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in 2010-11. Very little first-team action made him move to Benfica the following year.
Three years with Benfica resulted in 16 goals in 63 appearances and a League Cup before he was loaned to Granada for a year then signed by Celta de Vigo in 2013.
Guardiola and City are looking for more potential up front and seem willing to release him of his buy-out clause for around £14 million.
With the Spanish international earning caps as a part of the EURO 2016 Spain squad under Vicente Del Bosque, this could be Nolito’s best form ever.
The Sun also claimed former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdez could be eager to reunite with his former boss. Valdez spent a forgettable year at Manchester United which saw him play only twice as a replacement for Spanish compatriot David de Gea.
An eventual falling-out with manager Louis Van Gaal made his time even worse as he was left to play for United’s under-21 team. Currently on loan at Standard Liege in Belgium, he is said to be in talks with the ex-Barcelona manager towards a career lift at the Ethiad.
