Samir Nasri is set to become the first high-profile victim of Pep Guardiola’s drive to raise standards at Manchester City after being told he is free to look for a new club this summer, according to the Telegraph.
Nasri has failed to impress Guardiola in pre-season, with suggestions the France international had been told to lose weight by the Spaniard.
The 29-year-old was signed from Arsenal in 2011 and played a key role in City’s two title triumphs, but he made just seven league appearances last season and Guardiola does not believe he can fit into his high press system.
A trio of Italian clubs, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma are though to be interested in signing the winger, although City want around £17m for his services.
Although Nasri’s days in Manchester are numbered, experienced defender Pablo Zabaleta has been told he does have a future at the club despite falling down the pecking order last term.
The 31-year-old Argentinean insists he is delighted to be staying in England after admitting he had become frustrated by the constant stories linking him with a move this summer.
“I don’t know how many times I was away to Italy,” he said. “It was incredible. Every day there was a new club.
“I’ve always been away from that because I knew from the first day it was my decision (to stay).
“I had been told by the new manager that I was part of this squad for this season, so I am more than pleased for this because City was my priority.
“I know I only have one year left on my contract, so that creates a lot of speculation about my future but I didn’t decide anything before I came back for pre-season to meet the manager and hear from him what was my situation.
“I am so happy to be part of Manchester City for this season.”
COMMENTS