Premier League transfer news: Chelsea sack Falcao and Pato, Manchester City sign Nolito, Balotelli returns to Liverpool

Chelsea have opted against renewing contracts for strikers Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato, and goalkeeper Marco Amelia, the Premier League club said on their website on Friday.

Colombia’s Falcao, who signed on a season-long loan from Monaco last July, netted just once in 12 appearances last season and was sidelined through much of the campaign with a thigh injury.

Brazilian forward Pato joined on loan in January from Corinthians until the end of last season and will leave the club after scoring once in two games.

Italian 34-year-old Amelia, who has never featured for the first team, ends his stay at the club after joining in October 2015 on a free transfer.

All three contracts expired on June 30.

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo.

The Spain forward, 29, has agreed a four-year contract to become the second arrival of Pep Guardiola’s reign as manager.

His transfer represents the second time he will have worked for the Spaniard, having done so when he was at Barcelona before joining Benfica in 2011.

“Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world," Nolito told City’s official website. “He knows a lot about the game and he’s going to help me progress as a player and I’m sure he’ll get the best out of me.

“I’ll try to bring as much as I possibly can. I’ll do everything that the manager asks of me, try my absolute best and do everything I can to try to repeat the form I’ve shown throughout my career at various clubs.

“It’s just about trying to play my normal game and let’s hope that I can help Manchester City to win games."

Nolito, whose real name is Manuel Agudo Duran and who has been given the No 9 shirt, started each of Spain’s four fixtures before their elimination from Euro 2016.

His three seasons at Celta produced the finest football of his career, and a record of 39 goals in 103 appearances.

He is considered a late developer, having not represented Spain before turning 28, and will vie for selection in the most competitive positions in City’s squad.

Sergio Aguero is expected to remain their first-choice striker, meaning Nolito’s rivals include, among others, David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri.

Nolito joins Ilkay Gundogan at City after the Germany midfielder became Guardiola’s first signing last month.

Balotelli to resume Liverpool training

Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli will return for training this weekend as his Anfield exit is still not agreed.

All players who have not had international commitments at Euro 2016 or the Copa America will report to the club’s Melwood base on Saturday as manager Jurgen Klopp begins his first pre-season.

That means striker Balotelli, who was loaned to AC Milan after enduring a woeful maiden season at Anfield, in which he registered just one Premier League strike, will be subjected to the same rigorous schedule as the rest of the squad.

Klopp’s four new signings – £30million (Dh146.7m) forward Sadio Mane, defender Joel Matip, midfielder Marko Grujic and goalkeeper Loris Karius – will all be in attendance to meet their new teammates.

Liverpool had hoped Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola would have found a suitable destination for the 25-year-old player, having been given the go-ahead to do so in February, but links with the Chinese Super League and Turkey have failed to turn into anything more substantial.

Defender Martin Skrtel, who is still on leave after captaining Slovakia at the European Championship, is expected to complete a £5m move to Fenerbahce in the next few days as Klopp’s clear-out continues. The German manager has already allowed Kolo Toure’s contract to expire.