Nolito is ready to turn his back on Manchester City after just 12 months at the club after growing disillusioned at his lack of first-team football, reports The Daily Mirror.
Pep Guardiola’s side fended off competition from Barcelona to sign Nolito from Celta Vigo last summer after triggering his £13.8m release clause but the forward has barely featured for the club this year.
Nolito, who also failed to make the grade at Barcelona under Guardiola, has grown frustrated by his lack of football in his first season in the Premier League and has now admitted he is unhappy with life in Manchester.
“I’m not as happy as I would like, I’ve not played much since December,” Nolito told The Daily Mirror. “We know that in football this kind of thing can happen. The only thing I can do is keep working hard and keep fighting.
“I know [that Celta fans want him back], because of the messages they keep leaving me. We will see what happens. I have two years left on my contract. The only thing I want to do is play, and if I can’t do it here I will try to do it [elsewhere] and be happy.
“Now I just want to end the season, and disconnect. The truth is not playing is making it a bit hard for me. In Vigo, I was very happy – very. Celta gave me three of the best years of my career. My two daughters were born in Galicia, and I have good friends there. It will always be my home.”
Nolito hasn’t started for City in any competitions since their 0-0 draw with Huddersfield in the FA Cup in February, while his last Premier League start came in their 3-0 win away to Hull on Boxing Day.
Despite not being high in Guardiola’s thoughts, City have a 100% win ratio in the Premier League from Nolito’s nine starts this season.
For more stats on Nolito, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
