Striker Nolito has admitted to hitting a stumbling block in his talks over a new contract with Celta Vigo, with Arsenal and Barcelona both interested in the player.
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His existing deal – which has a £12m buyout clause – expires in 2019 but sporting director Miguel Torrecilla was hoping Nolito would pen an extension which would raise the clause to £17m.
Having returned from national team duty, Nolito will be back in action for his club on Saturday, as Celta travels to Deportivo La Coruna.
Although he still has three-and-a-half years left on his current agreement, Nolito says he would consider an extension but insists he will not sign until an unnamed specific detail has been sorted.
There have been suggestions that Barcelona are also keen on Nolito, but Arsenal will be keen to beat the Catalans to the acquisition.
“Everybody is talking about my renewal”. Until January 31, in every conversation I have, someone is going to ask about my renewal. “I have a three-and-a-half year contract and a [release] clause of 18 million”, Nolito said.
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Questioned about a potential move away during the January transfer window, he pointed out: “Valencia, Atletico, Napoli and Liverpool [also reportedly wanted me in previous transfer window]… and I’m still here”. There is no more. I want to be quiet. “No one has called me, or, to my knowledge, Celta either”.
