Barcelona Transfer News: Nolito Targeted as Pedro Replacement, Latest Rumours

Barcelona are targeting Celta Vigo star Nolito as a replacement for Pedro should the winger move to Manchester United this summer.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Mirror), which claims the 28-year-old has a release clause of just £7.1 million in his current contract. The piece claims Everton are also interested in the winger, who shone at Balaidos last season.

Here’s a look at the kind of talent Nolito would add to the Barcelona ranks:

In terms of style, Nolito would be an ideal replacement for Pedro at the Camp Nou. Like the Spaniard, he plays high up the pitch, is comfortable on either flank and possesses an eye for goal that would make him a natural fit in the Blaugrana jersey.

As noted by OptaJose, not only is the former Benfica man capable of getting on the end of chances, he possesses a keen eye for a pass too:

According to the aforementioned piece, Pedro could be on his way to Manchester United in a £22 million deal, meaning Barcelona would stand to make a significant financial gain from the personnel shift. As we can see here courtesy of this statistical comparison from league matches, Nolito also outperformed his compatriot in La Liga last season:

	Pedro	Nolito
Apps (Sub)	15 (20)	32 (4)
Goals	6	13
Assists	6	13
Shots per Game	1.1	2.9
Key Passes per Game	0.7	2.7
Dribbles per Game	0.6	2.1

There are some potentially detrimental factors to this deal. With Arda Turan also signed by the Catalan giants and the fearsome attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi already in situ, Nolito may find himself on the periphery of the first team more often than not. Indeed, Nolito has played for Barca previously, but left in search of regular football.

MIGUEL RIOPA/Getty Images

But as noted by Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett, the Celta man really turned on the style in the second half of last season:

Nolito would also potentially block the path of some of the La Masia graduates into the Barcelona first team. Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell took a look at which youngsters are ready to shine this season:

Barcelona’s transfer sanctions mean Nolito wouldn’t be able to play for the club until 2016, as is the case with Turan and fellow new acquisition Aleix Vidal, but the opportunity to return to the Camp Nou and make an impression will surely be too enticing a proposition to turn down for the 28-year-old.

He may not be guaranteed a starting spot, but since leaving Barcelona the Spanish international has gone from strength to strength and would surely back himself to force his way into Luis Enrique’s plans. For a meagre fee of £7.1 million, he’d certainly represent extraordinary value for money for the Blaugrana.