Real Betis confirm interest in Manchester City winger Nolito but deal is complicated

Real Betis have confirmed their interest in signing Manchester City winger Nolito, but a deal is far from guaranteed due to his £100,000-a-week salary.

After initial reports of serious talks taking place, Canal Sur Radio and newspaper Marca have received confirmation from Real Betis sources that Los Verdiblancos are negotiating the transfer of the 30-year-old.

Betis are very serious about making Nolito their marquee signing of the summer and are hopeful that they can overcome financial issues, which still mean a deal is quite far off. The La Liga side will try to sign Nolito on loan with his salary split between Betis and Manchester City, perhaps the most realistic way a deal can be done.

Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, the new sporting vice president of Real Betis, confirmed to the local press that Nolito is a player he likes, adding that any approach would be made with prudence and common sense. “We have to see what Manchester City says,” he added, which seemed to confirm that a plan is in the works.

Nolito does not want to miss out on next year’s World Cup and even rejected a move to the Chinese Super League in January in order to try and make Julen Lopetegui’s Spain squad. He appears to have no future under Pep Guardiola, having not started a single Premier League game in 2017.

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