How Samir Nasri Could Prove Key In Arsenal Landing Top Transfer Target

Samir Nasri could be the decisive player in Arsenal landing one of their top transfer targets this summer.

Despite impressing in pre-season for City after returning from his loan spell with Sevilla, Pep Guardiola sees no room for him in his plans.

"He knows the situation," Guardiola said at a press conference following City's 3-0 win over Spurs in Nashville.

"We have a lot of midfield players, so we're going to see.

"It is like [Eliaquim] Mangala. That's a decision they have to take with their managers [agents], but we take care of them when they are here, just like we take care of every player, from Brahim Diaz to Vincent Kompany."

Matt Barlow from the Daily Mail reports that Ligue One side Nice have emerged as a potential suitor for Nasri. Should he return to France with Les Aiglons, he would be reunited with former City teammate Mario Balotelli under the tutelage of Lucien Favre, who has a knack of reviving players careers.

City are said to be looking for a fee of around £10 million for Nasri and if Nice are the team to purchase him, the former Arsenal man may well be doing his old club a favour.

The Gunners loathe their ex player after he moved to City for a fee of £24 million in 2011 but should he join Nice, it would potentially mean the club would be free to sanction the sale of midfielder Jean-Michael Seri as Nasri would likely slot in as his replacement.

Image: PA

Seri, who notched seven goals and contributing further with nine assists in 34 outings in Ligue One as Nice finished third and qualified for the Champions League, has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A side Roma - with there even being reports, namely from French station RMC, via Metro, that the Giallorossi were closing in on a deal for the 26-year old earlier in the transfer window.

Image: PA

It's believed that Arsenal are at the front of the queue for his signature, and Nasri joining Nice would greatly aid them in their pursuit for the Ivory Coast international, who has a £36 million clause.

Who would have thought it?

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Manchester City, Samir Nasri, Football, Arsenal

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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