Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Racing to Beat Barca as Nolito Rumours Emerge

The transfer rivalry between north London and Catalonia looks set to be revived this winter after it was reported Arsenal will go up against Barcelona for the signature of Celta Vigo striker Nolito.

That's according to John Cross of the Mirror, who has claimed the Gunners are ready to make a £14 million bid for the Spain international in a bid to strengthen their forward ranks.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came under fire for failing to sign a striker—or any senior outfielders—during the summer transfer window, but January offers the Frenchman another chance to beef up his squad.

Celta's Nolito has risen to become an elite La Liga asset since arriving at the club from Benfica in 2013, and no other player has created more scoring chances in the Spanish top fight this year, according to OptaJose:

Wenger has promoted Theo Walcott to the position of first-choice striker following Olivier Giroud's flagging form, but England international Danny Welbeck should be fit to make a return from injury by Christmas.

Nolito has scored five goals in seven league appearances this season, but any move to sign the player could be over before it begins considering he said he would only leave Celta for the Camp Nou, per Goal's Joe Wright:

"

I go there or I stay at Celta, no matter what team comes in. I've had a lot of offers, financially to earn much more money, but I'm happy here, I feel like a player and I have the affection of the fans. I repeat: I go to Barcelona or I stay at Celta.

What's being said [about a deal being agreed] is a lie. I've had no offer from Barcelona. As I said at the time, Celta are in charge because there is an €18 million [release] clause. Yes, it's true that I've had offers from other teams but I took the decision to stay here. You can't say no to Barcelona. They're one of the best teams in the world.

"

That would appear to be a decisive comment in regard to any hope of luring the player to the Emirates, but Arsenal can hope the player's mind will be changed between now and the beginning of 2016.

Nolito's fine club form was recently rewarded with a recall to Vicente Del Bosque's Spain squad, with the coach saying strength in depth was the only reason he wasn't back in the team sooner, per AS:

One of the 28-year-old's most recent achievements was a two-goal haul in Celta Vigo's 4-1 win against suitors Barcelona, a performance that will have only increased interest in his name.

In fact, Nolito was nominated La Liga's Player of the Month for September in the wake of that result, per the league's official Twitter account:

Between Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal were able to claim a 3-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday in a result that Wenger will assuredly use as an excuse to say his forward line is sufficient as it stands.

However, Nolito's £14 million buyout clause makes him a tempting option in what could prove great value, but that's only if Barca decide they have no interest in signing the player themselves.