Barcelona Transfer News: Nolito Reacts to Camp Nou and Arsenal Rumours

Celta Vigo forward Nolito is ready to rule out any possibility of a winter move to Barcelona or Arsenal after revealing he's close to agreeing a contract extension with the Galician outfit.

The Spain international has been fiercely linked with both Barca and the Gunners in recent months, but he told Spanish daily Marca he's "happy in Vigo" (h/t Mirror's Aaron Flanagan):

"

They 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.

"

Nolito spent three years at Barcelona B between 2008 and 2011 before moving to Benfica and then on loan to Granada, but it's only since joining Celta in 2013 that he's started to realise his full potential.

Spanish newspaper AS reported in November that Arsenal were poised to trigger the winger's £12.6 million release clause (via Telegraph), but it appears he has no interest in leaving his current setting.

MIGUEL RIOPA/Getty Images

Any chances of Nolito moving this winter have been shortened after the Press Association confirmed he'll be out of action until mid-January at the earliest with a muscle injury.

In any case, La Liga expert Guillem Balague has insisted Arsene Wenger's side have no genuine interest in a move for the 29-year-old, who has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current Celta contract:

The attacker could "see his wages rocket by 250 percent" if he were to join the north Londoners, according to Flanagan's report. On the other hand, Lluis Miguelsanz of Catalan newspaper Sport reported in November that Barca have "virtually no money to spend" in January, and most likely can't afford the deal.

Nolito's move to Benfica in 2011 provided his first opportunity at an extended run in one of Europe's top divisions. He repaid that favour with the first double-digit campaign of his career, scoring 11 goals in 29 Primeira Liga games.

Club	Period	Total Appearances	Goals	Assists
Celta Vigo	2013-Present	89	35	21
Granada	2012-13 (Loan)	17	3	3
Benfica	2011-13	63	16	12
Barcelona	2010-11	5	1	1
Barcelona B	2008-11	38	13	0
Ecija	2006-08	2	1	0

Since joining Celta two-and-a-half years ago, he's continued his late development as a player and hasn't failed to surpass the double-digit mark. Nolito is also well on his way to a personal best this term with eight goals in 15 La Liga games.

It's not just a scorer of goals Barca would be capturing if they were to make a move for the player, however, after Squawka pointed out he sits among the European elite when it comes to through balls played:

Barcelona may well be pleased to hear that if Nolito isn't to join them, he at least won't be moving to Arsenal, whom the Blaugrana are set to face in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.

Nolito scored in Celta Vigo's 4-1 win over Barcelona earlier this season, and a new contract at the club at least means the trickster won't strengthen their upcoming opponents prior to the European clash in February.