Samir NasriManchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to fight Manchester City's Roberto Mancini all the way for Samir Nasri.
Speculation is mounting that City will attempt to hijack United’s audacious swoop for the Arsenal midfielder.
But Ferguson remains confident that he can convince the French international that his future lies at Old Trafford, readying a £20m bid.
Nasri was not one of Mancini’s original summer targets – but news of his potential availability has sparked City’s attentions.
They could be tempted to enter the race for the 24-year-old prompting a tug of war with their Manchester rivals, much like the battle for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
On that occasion Ferguson came out on top, signing the Bulgarian striker for a club record £30.75m deal from Tottenham.
But he would not welcome another bidding war with mega-rich City, believing he was in pole position for the Arsenal star.
Even without Nasri, United defender Patrice Evra believes United’s £50m expenditure on Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea will be enough to retain the Premier League title and end Barcelona’s dominance in the Champions League.
“I think they are great signings,” he said. “We will give them all a nice welcome. I think they’ll be important and I’m very confident about the future.
“After we lost the Champions League final I said that we had lost just a game. But I’m confident about the future, especially with our great new signings, and I think we are going to win it next year.
“We hope to retain the title but also to win the Champions League.”
And Evra, who pleaded with Nasri to head to Old Trafford in May, says his countryman can be a part of that success.
“Each year you are playing to win,” he said. “That is Manchester’s culture.
“If he comes, he has to know there is no room for mistakes.”
Arsene Wenger has already made it clear that he does not want to sell to United. But with Nasri entering the final year of his contract, Arsenal may be forced to cash in.
United, meanwhile, have not ruled out a move for Inter Milan’s Dutch midfield ace Wesley Sneijder.
Speculation is mounting that City will attempt to hijack United’s audacious swoop for the Arsenal midfielder.
But Ferguson remains confident that he can convince the French international that his future lies at Old Trafford, readying a £20m bid.
Nasri was not one of Mancini’s original summer targets – but news of his potential availability has sparked City’s attentions.
They could be tempted to enter the race for the 24-year-old prompting a tug of war with their Manchester rivals, much like the battle for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
On that occasion Ferguson came out on top, signing the Bulgarian striker for a club record £30.75m deal from Tottenham.
But he would not welcome another bidding war with mega-rich City, believing he was in pole position for the Arsenal star.
Even without Nasri, United defender Patrice Evra believes United’s £50m expenditure on Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea will be enough to retain the Premier League title and end Barcelona’s dominance in the Champions League.
“I think they are great signings,” he said. “We will give them all a nice welcome. I think they’ll be important and I’m very confident about the future.
“After we lost the Champions League final I said that we had lost just a game. But I’m confident about the future, especially with our great new signings, and I think we are going to win it next year.
“We hope to retain the title but also to win the Champions League.”
And Evra, who pleaded with Nasri to head to Old Trafford in May, says his countryman can be a part of that success.
“Each year you are playing to win,” he said. “That is Manchester’s culture.
“If he comes, he has to know there is no room for mistakes.”
Arsene Wenger has already made it clear that he does not want to sell to United. But with Nasri entering the final year of his contract, Arsenal may be forced to cash in.
United, meanwhile, have not ruled out a move for Inter Milan’s Dutch midfield ace Wesley Sneijder.
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