Betis in a bid to sign Nolito

REAL Betis have publicly declared an interest in City outcast Nolito after opening talks about bringing the forward back to Spain.

The 30-year-old has not started a league game since Boxing Day, having initially made a bright start at the Etihad after his £13.8m move from Celta Vigo.

It is understood that Betis could pay as little as £3.4m to bring the forward back to Spain – but his £100,000-a-week wages could prove a stumbling block.

Nolito currently has three years left on his bumper contract at City, but the Blues look set to take a significant hit on his transfer fee to get his wages off the books.

And Betis president, Serra Ferrer, admits he would love to bring the former Celta Vigo man back to La Liga.

“Would I like to have Nolito? Yes, but we have not contacted him,” he told El Pelotazo on Canal Sur radio.

“We are looking to find players that know La Liga and to bring two or three good reinforcements from outside.

“But we have to wait for the new coach to give his opinion on certain signings.

“We know what profile of a coach we want and the sooner we complete it, the better.

“Quique Setien? He is not a done deal, there are several candidates.”

Nolito was directly involved in seven goals in his first nine games for the Blues, but has scored just one goal since then, against Leicester in December.