Manchester City transfer news: Nolito's uncle confirms deal is 'almost done' due to Pep Guardiola

Nolito's uncle Manolo Rodriguez has confirmed recent reports claiming his nephew will move to Manchester City once his international duties are over with Spain at Euro 2016, saying the deal is "almost done". Pep Guardiola himself called his former Barcelona charge a week ago to persuade him to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Celta Vigo president Carlos Mouriño also confirmed last week that he expected the 29-year-old to leave the club in the summer transfer window after becoming one of the sensations of the La Liga 2015-2016 season, scoring 12 goals and providing a further seven assists in 29 appearances to earn a place in the Spanish starting line-up at the current European Championship.

Yet, Mouriño warned the suitors that they will need to meet the player's €18m (£13.7m) release clause in full to complete the deal, after turning down several proposals deemed unsatisfactory from Barcelona during the January transfer window.

Only days later several reports in Spain claimed that City were ready to match that valuation to make Nolito their second signing of the summer, having previously bought Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund.

Nolito had previously claimed he would like to return to Barcelona after he played under current manager Luis Enrique both in the club's second team and Celta Vigo.

But amid suggestions that the La Liga giants may now have different plans, Nolito is said to have grown weary of the Catalans' indecision and had opted to sign a 3-year-deal to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Nolito's uncle revealed Guardiola's phone call has been key in the Spanish star's decision as the new City boss handed him his debut at Barcelona during his successful tenure in La Liga.

"He [Nolito] is leaving, for sure, he is just waiting to finish the Euros but the [deal] with City is almost done," Rodriguez confirmed to Jugones. "It's one of the best teams in the world right now and they have money. Guardiola called him a week ago. He is going to City because of him. If City had another manager I think he wouldn't have gone."