Susana Monje admits that economic area advised against signing Nolito

It was the economic area of FC Barcelona that recommended to the board the decision to forego the signing of Nolito last January.

The reason was to not put the economic balance of the tax year under threat.

Susana Monje, the vice-president of the club, admitted this in her press conference on Thursday, but pointed out that it was a recommendation rather than a prohibition.

The request was adhered to by the president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and technical secretary Robert Fernandez, despite the interest of Luis Enrique in strengthening the attack with the player, who was at Celta at the time.

"At the time we were already talking about extreme prudence. We have seen that the year continued to improve. 

"But in the month of January, we were not balanced and we did not have the security of balancing the year's accounts.

"The recommendation existed, but that is all it was. At that time, it was decided to sollow this recommendation."

The forward stayed at Celta and nobody came in to reinforce the team in the winter market.

Nolito will not arrive this summer either, after accepting the offer that came in from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

The player valued the possibility of getting time on the pitch in the Premier League, over competing with the Barça trident at the Camp Nou.