Barcelona Transfer News: Andriy Yarmolenko, Nolito Rumoured After Pedro Exit

Barcelona are already preparing for life after Pedro, with reports suggesting Celta Vigo’s Nolito and Dynamo Kiev’s Andriy Yarmolenko could potentially be drafted in at the Camp Nou.

That’s according to Xavi Canals of SPORT, who wrote that while there are no plans to replace the new Chelsea man in the immediate future, that could change in January should either Sandro Ramirez or Munir El Haddadi, two young players tipped to make the step up into the first team, pick up a long-term injury.

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Canals claims Nolito is the first choice should that scenario arise. The winger knows all about Barcelona having previously played for the club, but he left in search of regular first-team football. Since then, during spells at Benfica and current side Celta Vigo, the Spanish international has established himself as one of the most exciting wide players around.

Here’s a look at what he would add to the Barcelona side should he rejoin for a second spell:

What sets Nolito apart from a lot of wingers is his end product. When he gets into dangerous areas there is a composure about the 28-year-old, whether that’s picking the correct pass or showcasing a clinical edge with a superb finish.

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In addition, as noted here by OptaJose, he was statistically the most creative player in La Liga during the 2014-15 term:

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96 - Nolito created 96 goalscoring chances in La Liga last season, more than any other player (13 assists). Ingenuity pic.twitter.com/Q7RgMw9mU8

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 6, 2015"

Yarmolenko is reportedly an “emergency option.” The Kiev man is also a wide player who has caught the eye in recent seasons, showcasing intelligence, trickery, speed and a sweet left foot. As noted by Sport Witness, he has also been strongly linked with a move to Premier League side Everton, but whether the Toffees will act upon their interest in the player remains unclear.

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The Ukraine international has already proven his quality on the big stage, too, having thrived for both his national team and in the Europa League, per WhoScored.com:

It’s certainly encouraging to hear that Barcelona are willing to give two academy prospects the chance to impress in Pedro’s absence. Blooding players in the first team from the La Masia academy is emblematic of the Blaugrana and as was the case with the departed Pedro, they’ll be hoping either Sandro or Munir will relish the step up.

Running the rule over the Barcelona squad, manager Luis Enrique is certainly putting a lot of onus on his young players this season, per Eric Coffin-Gould of totalbarca.com:

Contingency plans are important, though, and it seems in Nolito and Yarmolenko, Barcelona have theirs in place. The chance to play for a team as illustrious as the Camp Nou outfit is something that would surely appeal to the pairing as well, as they are both wide players hoping to make the jump up to the elite level.

But there should be caution on the part of Nolito and Yarmolenko. After all, if a player like Pedro, who has supreme talent and a strong affinity with the Blaugrana, left in search of first-team football, it’s unlikely that they’ll fare any better. The Catalan giants may be tough to turn down, but they're moves that could potentially have detrimental impacts on the positive recent strides made by both players.