Barcelona Transfer News: Nolito Rules out Celta Vigo Exit Amid January Rumours

Celta Vigo star Nolito has ruled out a move away from Galacia during the January transfer window, delivering a big blow to Barcelona, who have been linked with their former winger for months.

Speaking to Radio Marca (h/t Goal's Joe Wright), the 29-year-old made it very clear he'll be spending the rest of the season with his current club, saying: “God will decide my future. I'm not leaving in January. I'm happy in Vigo.”

Per Wright, both the Blaugrana and Arsenal have been frequently linked with Nolito, but the La Liga champions are seen as his most likely next destination. Barcelona have a need for another veteran forward who can provide cover for the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

The former has been out with an injury for some time now, and with Rafinha also sidelined, youngsters Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi have failed to elevate their games. The situation will be aided when Arda Turan becomes eligible to play for the club, but he's more of an attacking midfielder, not an outright forward.

Nolito previously played for Barcelona before moving to Benfica, so he understands the culture of the club better than most. Via OutsideoftheBoot.com, his scoring numbers have been superb since joining Celta:

He has scored six goals and added three assists in eight La Liga matches this season, per WhoScored.com, putting him in second place in the top scorer's rankings behind Neymar. With Fabian Orellana and Iago Aspas also firing on all cylinders, Vigo suddenly have one of La Liga's top attacking groups, a key reason behind their spectacular early-season form.

They host Real Madrid on Saturday in a battle for the top spot in La Liga, and given Los Blancos' recent injury struggles and their poor showing against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, another upset could be in the making. Earlier this season, Celta crushed Barcelona 4-1.

Nolito's revelation he won't be leaving Galicia comes at a particularly bad time for Barcelona. On Thursday, vice-president for the Economic Area Susana Monje revealed positive revenue numbers for the club and all but promised signings, per the Catalans' official website:

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We can sign and shall make an effort to do so, but we have to be prudent. The Club has made profits, it is solid and that means we can cover the players’ salaries. A possible renewal of Neymar Jr’s contract is not included in the cost but the impact will be compensated for accountancy purposes by the increase in the amortisation period.

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The Blaugrana were able to sign Turan and Aleix Vidal during the summer transfer window despite a transfer embargo, prohibiting the club from registering any new players. Last year's successful season on the pitch meant fans weren't clamoring for new signings, but with the embargo now over, some arrivals are expected―and almost demanded―in January.

Nolito would have been a perfect addition to sell to the fans as an experienced, instant-impact player who once plied his trade for the Blaugrana. He also wouldn't have been as expensive, given his age, and other players with similar production on the pitch will demand a far bigger transfer fee.

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