Scouting Arsenal Transfer Target Nolito

With the January transfer window just around the corner, the stories about Arsenal’s potential business are coming thick and fast. The latest word from the rumour mill is that they may be lining up a move for Spanish forward Nolito.

This is expected to be a busy window the Gunners. Currently sitting pretty in second place in the Premier League behind surprise leaders Leicester, Arsene Wenger must be acutely aware that his side have a fantastic opportunity to claim their first title since 2004.

The transfer window provides an invaluable opportunity to reinforce the squad before the crucial run-in. Having failed to add a single outfield player last summer, Wenger will surely be on the lookout for additions in the new year.

He has to be, really. Arsenal have suffered plenty of injury problems in midfield, so a replacement for the combative Francis Coquelin will probably be his first priority.

However, that’s not all they need. The midfield crisis has forced Wenger to withdraw Aaron Ramsey from the front three, instead deploying him in Santi Cazorla’s customary deep-playmaking role. That, combined with the extended absence of Danny Welbeck and the poor form of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, has created space for a wide attacker in the squad.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

That’s where Nolito comes in. According to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo (h/t TalkSPORT), the Gunners are monitoring the Celta Vigo star’s situation after a mooted move to Barcelona broke down.

Although Nolito wears the No. 10 shirt for his club, he is really a winger. His story is a fascinating one, and one that has some parallels with that of Jamie Vardy in England.

One of the reasons that Arsenal’s purported interest in Nolito is surprising is his age. He is already 29, so he is unlikely to have huge residual value.

However, Nolito was a late starter: He began his career playing in the Spanish lower leagues, before eventually being picked up by Barcelona at the age of 22. Having failed to break into the first team at the Camp Nou, he moved to Benfica before returning to Spain with Granada (on loan) and then Celta.

His dramatic development has earned him international recognition. Having made his debut in November 2014, he has now earned five senior Spanish caps and is a strong contender for a place in their 2016 European Championship squad.

MIGUEL RIOPA/Getty Images

It’s easy to see why Vicente Del Bosque has been keen to include him. Nolito has an exciting attacking style, combining muscular dribbling with plenty of imagination. Although he is stronger on his right foot, he is relatively ambidextrous, and thus able to deceive defenders by slaloming in either direction.

What’s more, he’s a goalscorer. Nolito has that Robert Pires-esque ability to ghost in from the flank to find goalscoring positions. This season, he has plundered eight goals in 15 La Liga appearances. For a player who is not an out-and-out-striker, that’s a very creditable record.

He can create too. This season alone, he has mustered 43 opportunities for his team-mates. Five of those chances have been converted to become assists. Nolito is currently enjoying the most productive period of his career.

Perhaps it’s a little surprising that Arsenal are looking at Nolito, given that in Alexis Sanchez they have a younger, superior player in the very same position. However, the Spaniard’s versatility would make him an effective cover player, or alternatively he could line up on the opposite flank.

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Wenger probably recognises that a squad cannot have too many potential match-winners. Earlier this season, Arsenal were forced to call upon the inexperienced Alex Iwobi from the bench. For all his talent, the 19-year-old is simply not mature enough to have a major impact on the senior stage. The arrival of a player like Nolito would help prevent it coming to that again.

Arsenal’s interest is probably in part related to Nolito’s precarious contract situation. Currently, his deal with Celta Vigo permits him to leave if a buying club is prepared to pay £13 million. In the current climate, that’s a very reasonable fee—and Wenger loves a bargain. 

However, there is a snag. The player was recently quoted as saying he is content to stay with Celta Vigo, for now at least.

Speaking to Marca (h/t the Mirror), he said:

"

They [transfer stories] are only rumours. I want to be loud and clear, it is only what I have read in the press and what my friends have told me.

I think that if Barca really want me they'll call Celta, and as far as I know they haven't done so.

The truth is that I am happy in Vigo and that is why, some minor details pending, I will be renewing with Celta soon. I am only sure that I am doing well here and I have decided to renew.

"

However, we have heard such talk many times from players, only to see them renege on their promises and leave their current club. When it comes to transfer windows, it’s difficult to trust anything that’s said.

What’s more, a new contract would not necessarily mean he would be certain to stay. Under Spanish contract law, all deals have a stated buyout figure, which means that if a club was prepared to pay enough money it would still be possible to secure Nolito’s signature.

A new contract might just be a chance for Celta to raise Noltito’s current release clause of £13 million. This could all just be another strategic move in a long battle for the player.

The situation could well come to head in January. At 29, Nolito is not at an age where he can afford to wait long before making his next big move. Having already had a relatively unsuccessful spell with Barcelona, he’ll be determined to try his hand once again at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

By coming to Arsenal, Nolito could complete a title-winning squad.

All statistics via Squawka.com.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.