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Arsenal have made an enquiry over Celta Vigo star Nolito as they look to firm up January transfer plans.

The Gunners have long followed the 29-year-old but feared for much of the Autumn that Barcelona would beat them to the punch, with the forward favouring a Nou Camp move having come through Barca's famed La Masia academy.

But the current La Liga leaders can't afford the £15million price tag this winter, instead being forced to look at a loan for striker cover, meaning that Arsenal could have a free path to signing Nolito.

Surprise-package Celta had been working on a new contract to tie down their man, but the two parties moved further apart during negotiations when Nolito's early-season form fired the Galician club into the top four and caught the eye of several European giants.

The Spain international, who featured against England in last month's friendly, could expect to see his wages rise by around 250% should he join the north London club.