Barcelona's Sergio Busquets backs Nolito signing and welcomes Samuel Umtiti talks

Sergio Busquets has been the latest Barcelona star to encourage the club officials to sign Nolito amid recent reports linking the Celta Vigo forward with a move to Manchester City. Meanwhile, the Spanish midfielder has also claimed that Samuel Umtiti would be "welcome" at Barcelona should reports about his move to the La Liga giants turn out to be true.

Nolito was close to a move to the Nou Camp during the January transfer window after Luis Enrique earmarked him as the perfect back-up for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. However, Barcelona failed to complete his return to Nou Camp as the club, already straight-jacketed by transfer restraints could not meet his €18m release clause.

With Barcelona still looking to bolster its attack with a versatile forward like Nolito, Gerard Pique recently urged the club to make a new attempt to secure his services during the coming summer transfer window after claiming his clause "looks a bargain" for a player of his talent.

However, Spanish TV Tele5 and Mundo Deportivo have claimed in recent days that new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was ready to beat the Catalans for his services after handing Nolito his first-team debut at Barcelona.

Busquets, who is currently sharing the dressing room with Nolito in the Spanish camp, has agreed with Pique and encouraged Barcelona not to miss the opportunity to lure him back to the Nou Camp.

"Considering how the market is right now with €18m you only buy a boot of a good player. Nolito has had a great season, he is now with the national team and still have many years ahead of him so, as Gerard said, is a good price," Busquets admitted during an interview with Onda Cero.

Umtiti has also been heavily-linked with Barcelona in recent days after Mundo Deportivo reported that the La Liga giants have already reached an agreement in principle to secure his services from Lyon after Euro 2016.

Asked about the France international's potential arrival Busquets replied: "They said that (that he is very close to join Barcelona) but until there is nothing official you don't know if it's true. They link so many players (with us) that at the end you get crazy. I have seen little of (Umtiti) because I do not follow much the French league but since the speculations (about a move to Barcelona) began I have watched him in several games. He looks a great centre-back with potential. Then whether we sign him or not I don't know but if he comes to help and to improve the team he will be welcomed."

Busquets also expressed his hopes to see Neymar staying at Barcelona for the long-term despite recent reports linking him with PSG, Manchester United and even Real Madrid.

"I'm not worried (about Neymar's rumours). He has already said he is fine, he is comfortable and I believe he will stay despite the rumours," he added.

Meanwhile, the Spanish midfielder has urged the club to fill the gaps left after the departures of Dani Alves and Marc Bartra admitting the duo will be two big losses for Luis Enrique.

"They have decided to leave Barcelona and as a teammate it's bad news but you have to respect their decisions and I wish them the best" he added. "When Xavi, Puyol and another teammate left, it also looked strange but we hope the technical secretary's call [on replacements] is the best one and we can continue to fight for titles. We have great players at Barca and we will continue to keep fighting at the top for everything."