Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Nolito and Samuel Umtiti Rumours

Barcelona reportedly could have further competition in their summer pursuit of Celta Vigo forward Noilto with West Ham United having joined the race to sign the Spaniard.

According to Football Espana, "reports in England" said the Premier League side are "considering a €10 million (£8 million) bid" for Nolito with West Ham manager Slaven Bilic "keen to land" him.

The report added that Nolito has previously admitted to hitting a "stumbling block" over talks of a new deal with Celta, the 29-year-old having also been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Barca.

As a former Camp Nou player, Nolito has long been linked with a return to Barca, especially during an impressive 2015-16 season in which he netted 12 La Liga goals and provided seven assists, per WhoScored.com:

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones and Sam Tighe believe he is the ideal man for Barca manager Luis Enrique to bring in during the summer as back-up for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar:

Meanwhile, Spanish football writer David Cartlidge believes it is an obvious move for Barca to trigger Nolito's relatively good-value release clause, as they attempt to bolster their attack on a shoestring:

When the Spain international was being widely linked with a return to Barca back in January, Celta sporting director Miguel Torrecilla insisted he would not be let go for any less than his €18 million (£14.3 million) release clause, per Dermot Corrigan on ESPN FC.

The Sky Blues' position is unlikely to have changed, meaning West Ham are sure to fail with their proposed €10 million (£8 million) bid, a boost for Barca.

Nolito seems the obvious attacking addition for Barca this summer and they should move to trigger his release clause as early as possible so as to get the deal squared away soon.

The player himself remains guarded over talk of a return to Barca—the club he left for Benfica in 2011—per Sport (via Football Espana):

"

I remain relaxed and am only thinking about the European Championship finals. 

I don´t usually read what is said about me so I can then concentrate on other things, yet I neither dislike or like reports of a move to Barcelona. 

That said, I´m happy at Celta and have a three-year contract which contains a buy-out clause.

Whichever club is interested in me, they know what to do. Even so, I´m really enjoying my time here. 

"

But he would surely relish a move to Barcelona where he would effectively be guaranteed to win trophies, not something which is on the cards that often with Celta.

Elsewhere, Barcelona have reportedly won the race to sign 22-year-old Lyon centre-back Samuel Umtiti.

According to French outlet Le Dauphine (via TalkSport), Barca are hoping to "tie up a £24 million deal [for Umtiti] in the coming days" after edging out Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for his signature.

FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/Getty Images

Given Barca's dearth of options in the centre-back region—Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano are the only reliable duo in the middle of the Catalans' defence—a big-money move was always likely over the summer.

Despite only being 22, Frenchman Umtiti has already made 131 appearances for Lyon in Ligue 1 and proved to be a reliable presence at centre-back—he can also play left-back and in defensive midfield—per WhoScored. 

As a long-term purchase he could prove good value at £24 million, as there is a genuine possibility he will be the next centre-back stalwart for Barca, following in the footsteps of Pique, Mascherano and Carles Puyol.