• Premier League

Wenger retains Nasri hope

ESPN staff
August 15, 2011
Samir Nasri trained with Arsenal on Monday © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger has not given up hope of keeping Samir Nasri at Arsenal, but is aware the player holds the club over a barrel in terms of his contract.

The France international is in the final year of his contract and has given no indication that he will sign fresh terms, which has prompted approaches from the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.

It is believed that City are closing in on a deal for Nasri, with talk fuelled when the midfielder was left out of the Arsenal squad to face Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

Nasri, though, trained with his Arsenal team-mates on Monday and Wenger has made it clear that he wants to retain his services.

Cesc Fabregas completed his move to Barcelona on Monday and Wenger has insisted that sale will have no bearing on the future of Nasri.

"His situation is not linked with Cesc's departure," Wenger said.

"Ideally I want Samir Nasri to stay. But as much as we were in a strong position on the contract side with Cesc, the situation is a bit different. Hopefully we can sort the situation out."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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