Arsenal agree to release Nasri

Arsenal have officially confirmed that they have agreed terms with Manchester City over the sale of Samir Nasri.

A statement on their website stated that the Frenchman, who has only one year left on his current contract, will now miss the club’s trip to Udinese and will instead travel to Manchester to complete a medical.

The news will come as a blow to Gunners fans as it was earlier reported that the midfielder was going to travel to Italy with them for their vital Champions League tie.

Now though, it appears the playmaker will join left-back Gael Clichy and striker Emmanuel Adebayor in making the move to Eastlands from the Emirates.

The 24-year-old played for Arsenal last weekend in their 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool, which is now almost certain to be his last game for the club he joined from Marseille in 2008.

He scored 15 times for the Gunners last season in what was recognised by many as a breakthrough campaign, although it brought him to the attention of other clubs who have targeted him this summer.

He leaves the club having made 126 appearances and scoring 27 times.

By not playing in Wednesday’s match for Arsenal he is free to play for his new club in their debut season in the Champions League.

Nasri will have to force his way into a City side which have scored seven goals in their first two league games and could even afford to leave last year’s captain and top scorer Carlos Tevez on the bench on Sunday against Bolton Wanderers.

Should he officially complete the transfer before this weekend, his first match for City will be a difficult trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham on Sunday.