AC Milan, Inter Milan and AS Roma are three clubs chasing Samir Nasri’s signature after he was told by Pep Guardiola to find another club this summer. City, however, are not willing to let him walk out for free as they reportedly want €20 million for the French-Algerian midfielder.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Samir Nasri is among the candidates in Manchester City who do not feature in the plans of Pep Guardiola (via The Guardian). Nasri was never quite able to establish himself in the star studded squad in Manchester City after joining them off the back of a very successful stint in Arsenal colours.
How Nasri will cope with the Italian League
TFL reports that Inter are the club that have shown most interest in securing the services of the attacking midfielder. With Mancini on his way out and De Boer to assume charge of the team, the familiar 4-3-3 formation might change. A player like Nasri will be difficult to incorporate in a 4-3-3 formation. He will have to take the left flank with Perisic already monopolising the right.
Milan coach Montella, on the other hand, likes playing intelligent players in the centre of the field. Nasri could provide the creative spark Milan’s midfield desperately needs as he could link up well with players like Bonaventura and Niang. Montella’s system is more flexible than the coaches before him. This could allow him to consider using a trequartista, something that only two teams used last season in Italy – Empoli and Chievo.
Another Bench Role?
If Nasri chooses to go to Roma however, he will have to accept more of a bench role. Despite the departure of Pjanic, the Giallorossi are well provided for in midfield with Kevin Strootman returning from injury and Leandro Paredes coming back from his loan stint at Napoli under Marco Giampaolo.
Although Nasri provides a creative option in the final third, it is doubtful if either of the Italian teams reportedly interested is willing to provide the necessary funds to complete the transaction. Any potential deal will have to be an initial loan with an option to buy. Moreover, the fact that the 29-year-old came back slightly overweight to pre-season has not gone unnoticed. City will have a hard time offloading Nasri if they are not willing to be flexible with their financial demands.
