Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Nolito and Eric Garcia

Nolito has reportedly talked up a possible loan move to Sevilla, but Manchester City will demand a transfer fee for the Spanish forward. The player even confirmed his former club, Celta Vigo, are also interested.

Speaking to Barramedia TV (h/t Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News), Nolito said: "Sincerely, because I don't want to lie to you, there is interest from Sevilla, but there is also interest from Celta and other clubs. It's something that does not only depend on me, because City will want money for me, although I do not know how much."

Nolito went on to suggest how a season-long loan might be in the best interests of all parties: "Maybe they will be interested in a year with a transfer option."

However, Brennan confirmed how City have "put their foot down over any possible temporary deal—and with other Spanish clubs also eyeing the winger, they want to sell him outright."

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Frankly, recouping any of the £13.8 million they paid for Nolito last summer would be a minor coup for the Citizens. They thought they were getting a prolific and versatile attacker who could play anywhere along the forward line and offer more support for striker Sergio Aguero.

Yet despite an impressive start to life in the Premier League, Nolito soon become a peripheral figure on manager Pep Guardiola's watch. In fact, the 30-year old finished with a mere 14 starts across all competitions last season, according to WhoScored.com.

It's a shame Nolito didn't pan out, since his pace and perceptive movement would be invaluable qualities in the fluid, possession-based game Guardiola preaches. The former Celta star often lined up on the left but is at his most effective when drifting through the middle.

Of course, City's need for a player this versatile is no longer as strong. After all, Leroy Sane has showcased his class and potential on the left, while Brazilian Gabriel Jesus is emerging as Aguero's likely successor in the middle.

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Both Sane, 21, and Gabriel, 20, are burgeoning key figures in the younger squad Guardiola is trying to build at City. Guardiola's youth drive means it makes sense to part company with Nolito this summer, even if it means having to accept a loan deal first.

City Close to Deal for Barcelona Academy Product

Another young player on Guardiola's radar is 16-year-old Barcelona prospect Eric Garcia. The City boss is reportedly going to sign the La Masia product, per Spanish publication Sport (h/t Metro's Mark Brus): "Garcia now looks to have accepted an offer to link up with former Barca boss Guardiola after turning down a contract offer from the Catalan giants."

Guardiola's old club is said to be unhappy about the developments, per the reports.

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Signing a highly touted teenage defender is a smart move from City. The Manchester club has already parted ways with some veteran defenders, releasing former Arsenal full-backs Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy on free transfers, along with Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta.

In Garcia, the Citizens would be getting a youngster who has already carved out an excellent reputation. Sport's Albert Roge detailed the core attributes of the precocious central defender's game that had so many excited at La Masia: "His strong points are his leadership, his ability to bring the ball out from the back and his presence at set plays despite not being the tallest defender."

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Garcia is now expected to sign a three-year deal at City, according to Roge. It's a blow for the Blaugrana, but proof Guardiola's connection with the club, as well as his adherence to building through youth, can serve City well for years to come.