Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Berizzo unaware of Nolito Barcelona deal

Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Berizzo says he is not aware of any deal being finalised between his club and Barcelona for the transfer of striker Nolito.

It comes after reports in Catalan daily Sport that the 29-year-old was on the verge of completing a loan switch to the Nou Camp, with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Berizzo insisted he had not been notified of any change in the status of the Spain international, who is the club's leading goal scorer this season.

"I've received no news from my club confirming that Nolito is on his way out. This is nothing new and it isn't the first time that I've answered questions on this matter," Berizzo was quoted as saying by Marca.

"If a deal finally goes through, as I've already said previously, we'll have to replace him."

Imminent move

Sport reported that Nolito had agreed personal terms with Barcelona, and that the only detail left to iron out was the terms of the option to make the switch permanent.

Barca boss Luis Enrique confirmed that signing a forward in the January transfer window was a priority on 12 January, with Nolito and Villarreal forward Denis Suarez the two closest-linked with a January move to the Catalan capital.

"If any reinforcements are to come then I believe that right now we need to reinforce the attack," Enrique was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "In order for reinforcements to arrive, we've got to negotiate and these are always difficult.

"It's not easy for a team to let important players leave halfway through the season, in the winter window."

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Nolito, who has scored eight goals in 15 league appearances for Celta this campaign.

The forward has five international caps for Spain and previously played under Enrique at Barcelona B and Celta Vigo.