IT’S LIKE LIVING IN A CAVE
PREMIER LEAGUE Nolito needs a City break
MANCHESTER CITY winger Nolito is on his way out of the Etihad after describing his season in England as “like living in a cave”.
Despite pocketing £100,000 a week to brave the north west weather, Nolito is set for a return to his Spanish homeland after being given permission to speak to Sevilla by City boss Pep Guardiola.
Discussing life in Manchester, Nolito, who arrived from Celta Vigo in a £13.8m deal last summer, said: “My daughter’s face has changed colour – it looks like she’s been living in a cave.”
Nolito failed to live up to the hype that accompanied his arrival, City having convinced him to snub interest from Barcelona.
And it appears all that remains is to thrash out a deal with Sevilla, securing him a return to sunny Spain.
Sevilla would prefer a loan deal but City want a permanent switch for a player they rate at £12m.
Nolito, 30, who started just nine games in the Premier League, added: “I am under ® contract, so the club will decide, but I want to leave.
Parlour
“I haven’t played in six months. I will do everything possible to make Spain’s World Cup squad.
“I have learnt very, very little English – it’s very hard. Just ‘tomorrow’, ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ and a little more.”
Former club Celta and Real Betis are also keen, but Sevilla are in pole position.
Nolito was spotted talking to Sevilla’s sporting director Oscar Arias in an ice cream parlour on Tuesday, although he dismissed the encounter as a coincidence.
He said: “I was just casually shopping for clothes for my wife in Sevilla.
“I went to get a coffee and bumped into Sevilla’s director of football.
“I later met the Sevilla president. I’m just glad no one took a photo.
“I don’t think City are counting on me too much, given how I’ve not played since January.”