Barcelona could turn to Celta Vigo’s Nolito should Pedro Rodriguez prove successful in his desire to quit Camp Nou.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Pedro is pushing ahead with his quest to leave Barca for Manchester United, with a €32.5m fee mooted.
Barca don’t want Pedro to go, however, and certainly not before they play Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup next month.
But if the club acquiesces to Pedro’s wishes then Nolito is a possible replacement, having been on Barca’s shortlist a year ago when Luis Enrique was appointed Coach after a year with Nolito at Celta.
Nolito also played under Enrique in the Barca B team and despite being happy at Balaidos, it’s thought the forward would welcome the chance to return to Camp Nou and again play under Lucho.
The 27-year-old has a contract with Celta that runs until 2019, signed in August 2014, and his release clause stands at €18m.
Barca’s transfer embargo is also a factor, however, as should Pedro leave, Nolito, or any other bought-in replacement, couldn’t play until January 2016.
That is also in part why Barca want to hold on to Pedro until the UEFA Super Cup as Neymar and Lionel Messi may not be ready to play following the Copa America and a Pedro exit would leave the Catalans short of forwards for the showpiece game.
