Nasri: Spend In Transfer Market or I Leave

Frustation and anxiety is mounting over the future of Samir Nasri at Arsenal, and following the French midfielders comments about his future and the potential interest from Manchester United recently, the signs are hardly encouraging for the London club. Wenger's main aims surely include the imperative that Arsenal's best must stay at the club, but there is still no sign of Nasri signing an extension to his current contract which has only 12 months remaining.

The Guardian newspaper has now claimed that Nasri is stalling the signing of the offered £90,000 a week contract not only because he wants to be paid more per week - apparently holding out for £110,000 - but he also wants Wenger to confirm the idea of Arsenal having an "active summer". Nasri wants the reassurance that quality players will be brought in to help the current Arsenal side to success and trophies as well as a season in which the team has enough depth to last the whole campaign rather than wither out towards the end.

The rumours surrounding Arsenal and their transfer acivity in the upcoming market are rife, with links to Lille's Ivorian forward Gervinho very strong as well as an apparent interest in West Brom's Nigerian international striker, peter Odemwingie. The former deal looks more likely to go through, with Arsenal the favourites to land Gervinho, but one signing will probably not be enough to convince an ambitious Nasri to stay with the club.

He has been encouraged by his compatriot and Manchester United left back Patrice Evra to join him at United already, and his comments about waiting to see if the Manchester United interest is real or not clearly show a lack of full commitment to Arsenal. It also suggests a wavering mind, a mind which is searching for new opportunities, and the fact that he refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford is surely concerning.

Wenger has promised his fans an "active summer", but what Wenger's definition of "active" is and what Arsenal supporters definition is, most probably varies. Arsenal need a new centre back, and Wenger recognises this too, with Gary Cahill prominently linked, as well as PSG's Mamadou Sakhou, who looks a very promising talent. The issue that remains with Wenger is money.

Both player will cost in excess of  £15 million, and those who know Arsenal and Arsene Wenger know, that for Wenger to spend that amount on one player is a very rare occasion. His persistence to keep out of debt and keep the club stable is admirable, and stubborn, yet it may yet prove his downfall, for now Wenger has more reasons to spend money. He firstly has to improve his squad, whilst appeasing the current players such as Fabregas and Nasri, as well as the frustrated fans.

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"Active Arsenal" - Aguero on the Move - CL Countdown

Arsenal will be having a "very active" summer transfer market according to the manager Arsene Wenger. The window hasn't even opened yet, but apparently Arsenal have already signed Ricardo Alvarez in a pre-contract agreement from the Argentinian club Vélez Sársfield.

Add that to countless other rumours circulating, linking Arsenal to players such as Bolton's Gary Cahill, Blackburns Chris Samba and PSG's Mamadou Sakho, and you see a pattern developing. Defenders are the priority, and Wenger, although cauious with how much he spends, said:

"The market will be hyperactive because everyone believes financial fair play will happen soon," Wenger said, referring to Uefa's tighter regulations on club spending. "So we are quickly doing the last buying before the stores will be closed. And for the first time for a while, I will be very active, too."

Arsenal may well be saying goodbye to Nicklas Bendtner, whose father, Thomas, confirmed his son wants to leave the club: "Nicklas has made his decision and told Arsenal: he wants to leave the club." Arsenal are quoting the figure of £8.7 million for anyone interested in his services, with Bayern Munich said to be interested in the confident 23 year-old striker.

A player whom Arsenal would no doubt love to have leading their line is Diego Maradona's son-in-law, Sergio Aguero of Athletico Madrid. He is of Athletico for now, as he recently confirmed like Bendtner that he will be looking for a new club in the summer. I suspect he would cost too much for Arsenal anyway, but the 22 year-old is not short of admirers.

Liverpool, City and Chelsea have all been linked to him - and they are only from the Premier League. Real Madrid are apparently early favourites for the Argentinians signature. He is a fine finisher, scoring 20 League goals this season for Athletico, while assisting 2. Aguero said:

"I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say so publicly. And the time has come."

"So I keep to my word and here I am. I find it hard to leave Atletico. It hurts and saddens me. I've thought long and hard and I am convinced that I must be true to myself."

"I do not think I put a ceiling on the ability to keep learning, to keep growing. After five intense years, this stage for me personally is over and I have to give way to a new one."

"I'm about to turn 23 and I have everything before me. Suffice it to say that this is not an economic issue but strictly a sporting one. So I want to clearly express my appreciation to the club for the efforts they have made for giving me a salary that equates with the largest clubs in the world."

Meanwhile, the biggest game of the year is fast approaching, as Manchester United and Barcelona prepare for their Champions League final at Wembley. In light of recent off-field events however, regarding Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be "beside himself with anger" at the alleged revelations.

Some said that Giggs feared for his place in the Champions League starting line up for United, but the Daily Mail have just reported that Giggs will in fact start the massive game. United could win their fourth Champions League trophy - Sir Alex's third, and these sorts of distraction are most unwelcome.

Hopefully, Giggs will continue to do what he has done for his long, fruitful career, and be fully professional throughout, to set an example as always to his fellow players. United will have a supremely tough test on Saturday, and they need all the togetherness and quality they can muster.

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Arsenal Target Sakho Admits He Will Leave PSG

Mamadou Sakho is only 21 years old and has already gathered interest from several top club including Arsenal and Liverpool. Wenger is a known fan of the French centre back who has been a regular at PSG since he was 19. Sakho had some interesting things to say recently too, when he claimed he has a "career strategy", and aims to leave PSG when he has achieved success with them:

"Contact this summer, I have extended until 2014 and I know where I want to go, I have a career strategy." 

"I know what I want to achieve at Paris how long I want to stay, so I don't pay any attention about what is rumoured. 

"I can insist to you I am not in a leaving state of mind. I don't ask myself such questions. But you never know what can happen during the summer transfer window. 

"I have already told some friends my objectives are to become PSG captain one day and play with that club in the Champions League. Then, I will be able to leave with my head raised high." 

Arsenal have been linked to several defenders including Chris Samba and Phil Jones of Blackburn as well as Everton's Phil Jagielka - all who have valuable Premier League experience. However, Sakho is a big, young, promising player who is known for his leadership credentials, his tireless engine, hard-working attitude, and his tackling ability and has also been praised for his "physical and tactical qualities".


Arsenal's defence has been called into question this season, with mistakes at the back a common occurrence -most obviously in the Carling Cup final when a defensive mix up gifted Birmingham the cup. Sakho with more experience may be just what Arsenal need in the future.


Sakho is ambitious and always wanting to improve. He concluded:

"There are still points I need to improve. Let's say I am still at 50 per cent of my potential." 

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