Arsenal Transfer News: Nolito Talks Opened, Latest Jese Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks to sign Celta Vigo's in-form forward Nolito in the January transfer window.

Barcelona have long been linked with the 29-year-old Spaniard, but Mundo Deportivo's Gabriel Sans (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson) is now reporting that Arsenal are in the driving seat to sign Nolito in the winter window.

The report indicates that Arsenal have started negotiations with both Celta and the player and quotes his release clause at £12.9 million—an eminently affordable figure for Arsenal.

The former Benfica winger has been brilliant for Celta so far this season, netting eight La Liga goals and providing five assists in 14 appearances, per WhoScored.com. 

While he is far from a fledgling player and could not be expected to improve dramatically under Arsene Wenger, he could well be a very valuable ready-made purchase.

Nolito still has a couple of seasons left in his prime and could provide added strength to an attacking unit regularly troubled by injury, while also bringing plenty of experience.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez have all been injury concerns of late for Wenger, and Nolito would provide the added cover and quality Arsenal need up front to maintain their title challenge for the rest of the season.

Another potential January addition in attack is Real Madrid's Jese, who has reportedly been offered to the Gunners.

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Per Spanish outlet Don Balon (via talkSPORT), Arsenal have scouted the 22-year-old for a number of years, and Los Blancos have now offered the north London outfit the chance to sign him in January.

Real reportedly believe they can make £20 million from the sale of Jese, and Arsenal could well see him as a long-term investment given his relative youth.

He is undoubtedly a talented forward—he can play anywhere across the front three—but has failed to make any real impact in the Real first-team as he has to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Jese would surely be attracted by a potential move to Arsenal where he would likely have many more first-team opportunities.