Arsenal Transfer News: Nolito Bid Planned by Gunners Amid Barcelona Rumours

Arsenal are planning an audacious bid to hijack Barcelona's potential purchase of in-form Celta Vigo winger Nolito.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Will Giles), Arsenal are prepared to meet the Spaniard's £13.3 million release clause in order to add him to their attacking ranks.

Nolito has previously been linked with a move back to former club Barca to fill the hole created when Pedro moved to Chelsea in the summer, per Goal.com.

With the 28-year-old having started the new La Liga season in flying form—he was immense as Celta thrashed Barca 4-1 recently—a bid from the Catalans in January seems highly likely, especially considering their worrying lack of depth in attack, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

However, Arsenal have now reportedly joined the race to sign him up and may go head-to-head with Barca in January to secure his signature.

Nolito's flying start to the season has seen him score five goals and provide three assists already in La Liga, per WhoScored.com:

His creativity and goalscoring ability would make him a fine addition at the Emirates, although he is not necessarily the out-and-out striker the Gunners are crying out for.

However, along with Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, he could form a very effective and intricate attacking trio, especially as the Englishman has been thriving as a No. 9 so far this season.

With Nolito and Sanchez on the flanks and Walcott—or Olivier Giroud—playing through the middle, Arsenal would be a force to be reckoned with going forward.

Furthermore, the addition of the Spain international would take the creative onus off Sanchez and provide better depth in attack for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

However, Nolito does not seem like a typical Wenger purchase. At £13.3 million he would be decent value, but the French manager may have concerns about the price considering Nolito's age—he will be 29 later this month.

Arsenal may struggle to win any battle for his signature with Barcelona, as Nolito has previously talked of being open to a move back to the club he left in 2011, per Spanish outlet Radio Marca (h/t Goal.com).

He would be a fine addition to Arsenal and the Premier League, though, and it will be intriguing to see where he ends up after making himself very desirable with a string of terrific performances.