Nolito not distracted by speculation linking him to Manchester City

Spain attacker Nolito says he is aware of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City this summer but is just concentrating on having success at Euro 2016.

Celta Vigo attacker Nolito, 29, has established himself as a regular with the Spain team over the last 18 months and he started Monday’s Group D win against Czech Republic in Toulouse, although he had been substituted by the time Gerard Pique headed the game’s only goal in the 87th minute.

Nolito has often been linked with a move away from Celta through recent years, and was close to rejoining former club Barcelona during the January transfer window, but the Catalan club ultimately decided against paying his €18 million release clause.

Speaking from the Spain camp at the Euros in France, he told a news conference that the first he heard of any City interest had been from a reporter at the Stade de Toulouse.

“I just learned yesterday about my latest ‘girlfriend,’ but the truth is I am focused on the tournament, on the national team,” Nolito said. “I do not read the press much, although you hear about things. I am relaxed. I have a contract with Celta and must return there after the Euros.”

Pique’s winning goal came after he had been whistled by Spain fans over the last year due to his supposed anti-Real Madrid and pro-Catalan independence sentiments, but Nolito said nobody could question the Barcelona defender’s commitment to the Spanish cause.

“If he did not love the team, he would have left it,” Nolito said. “Pique is showing he wants to play with Spain, despite the whistles.

“It is not such a big thing, we were happy that the goal gave us three points and it is always good to win the opening game in a competition like this.”

The one-time Barca B youngster left the Camp Nou in 2011, during new City boss Pep Guardiola’s time in charge at the club, having played just twice for the senior team.

He said he is now enjoying playing alongside stars of the quality of Barca captain Andres Iniesta at international level.

“Truly, to play alongside Andres is so enjoyable,” he said. “It can shock you being alongside him, having him as a teammate. To be able to play with such magnificent players… he is one of the best players in the world, for me the best in his position.

“Now, at 29, I am experiencing a Euros. It is a dream come true. I am trying to enjoy every moment here and then see what happens. The truth is I am like a little kid.”

Another one-time Barca B player, Thiago Alcantara, also spoke to the media from Spain’s base camp and was asked if he was concerned that La Roja had dominated against the Czechs on Monday but had not been able to convert possession into goals until the final moments.

“Spain at the last four big tournaments have won two Euros and one World Cup,” he said. “So I do not see bad numbers — there is a good balance in attack and good in defence. You cannot talk about a lack of goals, or conceding too many.

“We are a good, balanced team with people who can play good football and can score goals. It is just about each game, and the most important is to win — not to score four, five or six.”

Spain’s next match is against Turkey, who lost their opener 1-0 to Croatia on Sunday.

Vicente del Bosque’s men may require patience against Turkey if they also try to sit deep and soak up pressure, but Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago is not concerned.

“We are looking forward to Turkey — the next game,” he said. “That is the only thing we are thinking about, to play well and win it. There are many different ways of play — how it went yesterday or they could press you up top. We have to be ready for all systems, and to play well and win the game.”