Manchester City have completed a deal to sign Nolito from Celta Vigo, as confirmed on the club’s website, making him the third summer signing under new manager Pep Guardiola. The Spain winger has been linked with City for a few weeks now, but has finally put pen to paper to move to the Premier League, in a deal worth just £13.4 million.
Nolito was heavily linked also with a move back to Barcelona, where he previously played under Guardiola, even if he did only make two senior appearances for the Catalan side, being confined largely to the B team, for whom he made over 100 appearances. Luis Enrique, the man now in charge at Barça, was thought to consider Nolito a strong addition to the squad as back-up, but the Spanish international has instead decided to join The Blues under new management.
A deal for the winger has been on the cards for a number of days, with Nolito’s uncle going as far as to tell the press that his nephew would soon be plying his trade in sky blue. However, a deal was held up by the midfielder’s participation in the European Champions, before Spain were knocked out 2-0 by Italy in the round of 16.
It’s thought that Nolito will be brought in to provide a challenger to Raheem Sterling, who struggled in the second half of last season and is in need of a confidence boost, but has been assured by Pep that he has a place in the squad. However, Nolito provides an alternative should Guardiola need it.
The 29-year-old has spent the last three seasons with Celta Vigo, and played a regular part in their team, appearing 100 times in La Liga alone, never netting less than 12 goals in a single campaign.
Nolito will take up the vacant No. 9 shirt.
