Barcelona may have been looking to lure Nolito away from Celta, but the player has no intention of signing a deal with Los Blaugranas.
The Spanish footballer, one of the main reasons for Celta Vigo to be one of the best teams in the ongoing La Liga season, revealed that he will extend his contract with Los Celestes, ruling out any chance of reaching a deal with the team that gave him the first chance of pro football.
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. I am happy in Vigo and that is why I will be renewing with Celta soon. I am only sure that I am doing well here and I have decided to renew," the striker stated.
The 29-year old player has scored eight goals and dished out 5 assists for Celta this season, but will have to sit out this year's final games due to a hamstring injury he picked up last Sunday.
According to Nolito, returning to Barcelona has never crossed his mind, although he acknowledged the team's influence in his love for football and how coach Luis Enrique, who coached him two seasons ago, was key to his development as a player.
"I was at Barça for three years. They were the most important of my career because I took a big step forward. I started to take it more seriously, not as a hobby but rather as a job," he added.
"Luis Enrique saw me at 20 and taught me a different philosophy, a different way to live life and football. He pushed me hard on nutrition, for example. He has always been straight with me, for good and bad," Nolito concluded.
Sources indicate that after Nolito's snub, Barcelona will consider making a bid to sign another player on loan, but his identity will be revealed once the transfer window opens in January.
