Whether Arsenal are willing to let Nasri leave, is still open to debate, although the smart money seems to be on Arsene Wenger cashing in on a player with only one year left of his contract, should the midfielder decide he wants to leave.
With Manchester City reportedly being interested in Nasri as well as United, there’s a chance that Arsenal may be able to start something of a bidding war. Realistically though for a player with only a year left on his contract it’s doubtful even City would be willing to pay more than around £20 million.
One way United could tempt Arsenal to part with their French international is by offering a part exchange deal.
It’s no secret that Arsenal are in the market for a striker with Marouane Chamakh stuggling for the second part of last season, Niklas Bendtner seemingly determined to leave and question marks surrounding Robin Van Persie’s ability to complete a full season.
Looking at United’s strikers, its obvious that at least one could leave Old Trafford without it affecting the squad too much.
With Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, Danny Welbeck and Kiko Macheda all available it doesn’t seem unfeasible that at least one could leave.
Let’s be honest Rooney, Chicharito and Owen aren’t going anywhere- the former Liverpool hit man recently signed a one year deal, while the other two are fundamental to the team.
That leaves Berbatov, Welbeck and Macheda as possible pawns in a Nasri deal. Personally I’d hate to see Berbatov leave as I think regardless of whether he’s first choice or not he’s still arguably one of the most gifted players in the Premier League.
Danny Welbeck is a personal favourite of mine I genuinely believe that if the lad was given 30 games next season -due to injury no doubt- he’d easily hit double figures and there’s no doubt he’s got the potential to be a future star.
That just leaves Macheda, who at only 19 is definitely years away from anywhere near his peak and despite the lack of goals on his loan spell at Sampdoria he has scored in the Premier League on several occasions.
Ideally from a United point of view, letting Macheda go to Arsenal may well be worth the risk if it brings a proven attacking midfielder of Nasri’s quality to the club.
A manager with such a penchant for working with younger players may be tempted to sign a player like Macheda who’s raw talent is pretty much without question.
However that’s from arguably an ideal scenario for United, there’s no denying that of all the strikers potentially available, Berbatov or Welbeck would offer the greater benefits for Arsenal. Both players have a proven Premier League pedigree, both are hugely talented and while Welbeck has youth on his side, Berbatov would bring an entire different dimension to the Arsenal side.
If I was Arsene Wenger and knew that Nasri was destined to leave then gaining a striker of Berbatov’s quality would be something of a dream scenario, although whether Sir Alex Ferguson would be willing to lose the Bulgarian is doubtful.
With a player of Nasri’s quality on the table, someone who could arguably fit into the vacant hole left by Paul Scholes the United boss may be willing to lose a striker who wasn’t deemed important enough for the Champions League squad.
Would United fans welcome Nasri at the expense of last season’s top scorer, would Arsenal fans be willing to see a former Spurs star at the Emirates? Or have I gone off the deep end (again)? Feel free to comment, suggest and abuse below.
cant wait to see Nasri wearing ‘MAN UNITED TO WIN TROPHIES’ colours
Dont mix things up guys,Nasri is no replacement for P.Scholes,but Modric is.
Well,to point of view,let Sir Alex get Nasri without any player involved,now tell me about Sniejder’s case.
To me a Giggs/Wes Brown exchange will be more likely.Giggs is at the twilight of his career.His individual haul of leaugue trophies alone is equal to arsenals haul .He will giv arsenal all the experience they have been missing over the years.And with the recent scandals in his life,he wouldnt mind leaving manchester.Berbatov must stay.Nota day passes with an article/story on him.
To be honest I think we can forget Sneider. Fergie’s looked at it in the round & has probably decided that 1 of Nasri or Modric is enough, leaving room for Pogba, Morrison &/or Tunniclife to step up gradually over the next two seasons. Don’t forget we’ve been here before with Veron: class player but just not suited to English football. Despite his undoubted quality there’s nothing that guarantees Sneider can cut it in this league: what with wages & acclimatisation being issues I think SAF may decide to swerve him.