Man United snubbed Nasri for double talk

Nasri turned up for Arsenal against Liverpool after talks with Manchester City nearly collapsed over agents' fees. (FILE)

Published Sunday, August 28, 2011

By Staff

Samir Nasri came close to remaining at Arsenal after talks with Manchester City nearly broke down and rivals United snubbed the French international for reneging on an initial promise to sign for them, it has been revealed.

‘The People’ reported that Nasri went cap in hand back to Old Trafford when he feared his £24m move to the Etihad was about to collapse due to a dispute over agent fees.

But furious United chiefs slammed the door in the Frenchman’s face despite him making a personal plea to revive the deal with the champions.

People revealed the full bombshell details of Nasri’s negotiations with both Manchester clubs – as the Frenchman prepares to make his City debut at Tottenham Sunday.

“The French midfielder personally agreed a £7m-a-year deal with Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson,” it said.

“We can reveal Nasri is being paid almost £40,000-a-week more at City than he would have earned at United, making a mockery of the player’s claim that his move from Arsenal was for football, rather than financial, reasons.”

Fergie and Nasri reportedly met in Paris during the summer with the player’s representatives in tow and after a deal was thrashed out the player confirmed he was thrilled at the prospect of becoming a United player.

The transfer stalled – and later collapsed altogether – when Nasri’s agents insisted on a massive £4m tax-free as their cut.

United refused to cough up the cash, leaving the way clear for City to make a more lucrative, £9m-a-year offer.

Nasri quickly agreed the terms but then, agonisingly, his switch to the Etihad Stadium also came close to falling through over his agents’ demands.

City were reluctant to pay up and it was at that point that Nasri himself contacted United and tried to reignite his move there.

But the Old Trafford hierarchy, furious at the player’s change of heart, were having none of it.

Unimpressed by Nasri’s agents’ behaviour and the player’s willingness to chase more money from City, they told him in no uncertain terms that they were not interested.

That left Nasri in limbo and he turned out for Arsenal in their 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool.

Only when City later agreed to meet the agents’ demands was Nasri able to complete his move north, according to the report.

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