• Premier League

Mancini expects to sign Nasri 'very quickly now'

ESPN staff
August 19, 2011
Roberto Mancini hopes to taste success in the transfer market imminently as he aims to 'complete' his Manchester City squad © Getty Images
Enlarge

This season ESPN Goals is completely free. It's the first place to see every goal from every Premier League game, all season long

Roberto Mancini hinted he expects to finalise Samir Nasri's move from Arsenal to Manchester City "this week", amid widespread reports that a £25 million deal is almost complete.

Several reports on Friday claimed Nasri is set to undergo a medical at Eastlands, ahead of signing a five-year deal. He will join former Arsenal colleague Gael Clichy at the club.

No official word had been given on the potential transfer, but Mancini addressed the press ahead of City's game against Bolton this weekend. In the Italian's eyes, Nasri needs to be done by the end of the week, and is likely to be City's last signing due to their failure to move the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy out of the club.

"I hope that we can close very quickly now," Mancini said on the Nasri situation during Friday's press conference. "I don't know the latest because my focus is on the game.

"I hope this week we can finish the market, I hope we can complete our target. The season is long, it's hard, and we need [to do this]."

Elaborating on the reasons why he feels Nasri will be City's last piece of activity in the transfer window, Mancini explained it all comes down to balancing the books.

"The market is finished in 10 days. We have a problem because we haven't sold other players, but we need players to complete the squad," the City boss said. "But until we sell the players that are here, it's a problem."

Asked if Adebayor will, as expected, join Tottenham on loan, Mancini replied: "It's possible."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices