Celta Vigo’s Nolito is reportedly expected to be a Barcelona player next week with the Catalans exploring ways of structuring the deal.
Mundo Deportivo claims the decision has been taken to sign the Spain international this month, but an agreement between the clubs hasn’t been reached.
Barca are looking for ways of structuring the signing that don’t harm the club’s balance sheet, as to stay within parameters set by the club statutes, they can’t pay more than €3m before the summer.
Meeting Nolito’s €18m clause wouldn’t be an issue in pre-season but Barca are restricted at the moment, and it has been suggested that they could pay Celta €3m for a loan until the end of the campaign.
It’s thought, though, that Celta would baulk at that offer, as their fans were unhappy the club received only €4m from Atletico Madrid for Augusto Fernandez, and letting go of Nolito for less wouldn’t be popular.
A part-exchange with Sandro Ramirez has also been mooted, while Barca are far less confident in reaching an agreement with Villarreal for Denis Suarez.
Barca have a clause in Suarez’s registration that allows him to be re-signed for €3m but it doesn’t apply until July 1, and the Yellow Submarine are refusing to discuss a sale before then.
