Manchester City news: New signing Nolito reveals he turned down Barcelona for Pep Guardiola
The forward said he had no hesistation in picking City over the opportunity to play for the Spanish champions
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City forward Nolito has revealed he rejected a summer move to Barcelona in order to be reunited with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.
Nolito, 29, is set to make his City debut against Manchester United in Beijing today after linking up with Guardiola’s squad following his £13.8m transfer from Celta Vigo.
The Spain international, who can play as a forward or winger, began his senior career under Guardiola by making two appearances for Barcelona during the City manager’s spell in charge at the Nou Camp.
But despite being offered the chance to return to the Spanish champions this summer, Nolito insists that he had no hesitation in turning down the chance to play with Lionel Messi after being offered the opportunity of moving to City.
“I wish Barcelona all the best and I am very proud of Barcelona’s interest, but now I am with City and I think I made the best decision to come here,” Nolito said.
“I have had the luck to play with Messi a bit previously, but what I want in life is to enjoy my football, play football and be happy.
“I took the decision. I was fortunate to play in Barcelona, although not much in the first team, and now I am excited about playing at City and I will try to do great things here.
“It [choice of City or Barcelona] was something I spoke about with my family and my management.
“I thought it was the best decision for me and my career. I have come to the Premier League to play with City and under Pep Guardiola, who will play me in the first team and I am very happy with the decision I took.”
The lure of Guardiola, who arrived at City this summer following three years in charge of Bayern Munich was, according to Nolito, the crucial element in his decision to move to the Etihad Stadium.
“Yes, the truth is I enjoyed working with him in Barcelona even though it wasn’t much time,” Nolito said. “It’s a reason for me to come here, but not the only one.
“It was also about City, they have a great team and it’s a great project. They got to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season and the truth is, I will try to help this club achieve great things.”
Despite arriving in England at 29, just three months short of his 30th birthday, Nolito insists he is capable of making an impact in England.
And he has no qualms over whether he plays as a forward or on the wing.
“There are two positions that I can play,” he said. “I am comfortable in either position and I will play in either of them and adapt do whatever the manager wants.
“I have played well throughout my career. I am 29 I am in the best form and shape of my career and I had a good year last year.
“I am relaxed about. I have followed my path in life, but things have started to come together now.
“I feel like I have done a good job where I have gone.
“I have been here a couple of days, but I can see we have a good team and we can do anything.
“Why can’t we win the league? It’s a different league, the hardest in the world and I think we will try to win it. Let’s see what happens.”
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