Report: Arsenal to beat Barcelona to Nolito signing

Arsenal are reportedly becoming increasingly confident of securing a deal for Celta Vigo attacker Nolito when the January transfer window opens.

The Spaniard has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona, but it now appears that Arsenal are at the head of the queue.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners have offered £14m for the forward – more than his release clause – and the Premier League side are also prepared to triple Nolito’s current salary in order to sweeten the deal.

Nolito, 29, has scored eight times and registered five assists in 14 league appearances for Celta this season. The attacker was also part of the Spain team that recorded a 2-0 win over England in the most recent international break.