Barcelona Transfer News: Nolito Says Blaugrana Move Possible, Pedro Rumours

Celta Vigo winger Nolito is open to the possibility of a move to Barcelona but will only make a switch away from his current club to join the La Liga champions.

The 28-year-old has been mooted as a potential replacement at Barca for the likely Manchester United-bound Pedro, per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Mirror).

Nolito has now admitted that, should Barca come in for him, he would find it difficult to turn down a move back to the club he departed in 2011. He denies reports that the Catalan giants have already made a bid for him, though, per Spanish newspaper Marca:

"

I'll either go there [to Barca] or stay at Celta, no matter who else comes in for me. 

I've had a lot of offers, but I'm happy here. I feel like an important player and that I'm loved by the fans. I repeat, either I'll go to Barcelona or stay at Celta. 

What people are saying is a lie. I haven't had any offers from Barcelona and neither has the club [Celta], as far as I'm aware. Like I've said before, Celta call the shots because I have an €18 million (£12.8 million) release clause. It's true that I've had offers from other clubs, but I've made up my mind to stay here. 

You can't say no to Barcelona, provided they stump up the €18 million (£12.8 million) to trigger my buyout clause. No one here is stupid, we know Barça are one of the best clubs in the world.

"

Nolito spent several seasons playing for Barcelona B, before moving to Benfica after a handful of first-team appearances with the Blaugrana.

He would seemingly be the ideal replacement for Pedro, as he knows the club and is similarly prolific as both a creator and goalscorer—he netted 13 goals and made 13 assists in La Liga last season, per WhoScored.com.

At 28, Spaniard Nolito is hardly a buy for the future, but he would all but guarantee quality as a back-up for front-line forwards Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Furthermore, he is eminently affordable, considering the latest reports suggest that Pedro is on the verge of a £21.5 million move to Old Trafford, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Colin Harvey in the Daily Star).

As Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe notes, Barcelona have been remarkably effective in the current transfer window, especially considering they are banned from signing any players until January:

As a potential replacement for Pedro, Nolito would be another fine purchase, and Barca would be left with money to spare. 

As a stalwart of the side for some time now, Pedro's imminent departure to United will be a blow for Barca. However, the 28-year-old Spain international seems to have made up his mind and already apparently has a verbal agreement with the Old Trafford club, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Harvey).

If Barcelona can sign Nolito, though, the blow of losing Pedro will be softened somewhat, as they will have lost no cover in attack and avoided any hit to the bank balance.