Manchester City close in on Samir Nasri from Arsenal - BBC Sports

Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal to sign Samir Nasri from Arsenal.

The transfer could be finalised in the next 24 hours, with City paying Arsenal a reported £25m.

Nasri, who joined the Gunners from Marseille in 2008, is into the final 12 months of his contract and has rejected a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The France midfielder, 24, would become the second high-profile departure from Arsenal this week after Cesc Fabregas joined Barcelona on Monday.

Nasri used social networking site Twitter to congratulate Fabregas on his move and criticise Gunners fans who directed an abusive chant towards him during Saturdays 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

"I heard what the fans were singing about me on saturday and it is really disrespectful because i'm still a arsenal player", he wrote.

There were suggestions Nasri would undergo a medical on Wednesday - and camera crews gathered at the Bridgewater Hospital.

But that was never likely because the clubs were - and are still are - in negotiations and no medical can take place until a deal is agreed.

Arsenal entered into discussions with Nasri in December 2010 but there was no breakthrough and in June the Frenchman cast further doubt over his future.

The Gunners reportedly turned down a £20m bid from from Manchester United in early July and manager Arsenal Wenger said he was prepared to lose Nasri on a free transfer next summer rather than sell him now.

"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," stated Wenger. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.

"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you."

City boss Roberto Mancini then made clear his intention to bring Nasri to Eastlands and although Wenger claimed on Monday that the player may yet stay, the situation has since developed.

justdoit_ wrote:Worst kept secret in football?

OLpower wrote:Unreal price and I bet Nasri will not end up as a starter.

kiranr wrote:Nasri will easily start over Johnson.

I wonder how Mancini will play... Will he drop Barry or will he drop Dzeko?

RealGunner wrote:Always a pleasure selling to man city

25m for a player in his last year of contract

Raptorgunner wrote:

RealGunner wrote:Always a pleasure selling to man city

25m for a player in his last year of contract

Thats why we all happy cus its Money City. , Wenger gets orgasms when City calls for a player. The funny thing is Man city offer is so good that no team usually refuses it. Wenger would have sold him for half of that money and still be happy.

Lex wrote:How many players will Mancini need after this? Still two?

Lex wrote:How many players will Mancini need after this? Still two?