Barcelona target Nolito will miss at least four weeks of action due to a hamstring injury.
The Celta Vigo striker has been linked with a return to his former club in January, having said in the past that they would be impossible to turn down.
Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez also said last month that a January swoop for the 29-year-old is a "real possibility."
But after helping Celta to fourth place in La Liga with eight goals this season, Nolito is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
PARTE MÉDICO | Nolito sufre rotura fibrilar en el recto anterior del muslo derecho-->https://t.co/L16uSDTwt5 #RCCV pic.twitter.com/juTYEK8stz
- RC Celta de Vigo (@rccelta_oficial) December 14, 2015
The Andalusian, who has won five caps for Spain, hurt his right thigh during Saturday's 1-0 Primera Division victory over Espanyol.
A statement published on Celta's official website said his recovery time would be "no less than four weeks."
Barca will be available to make a move for Nolito in January and play him immediately following the end of their transfer ban, handed down to them by FIFA after being found guilty of breaching rules on the signing of players aged under 18.