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Nasri's Arsenal transfer 'not yet finalised'

24/06/2008

The agent of French international Samir Nasri has refuted the player's claims he has signed a deal to join Arsenal next season.

The 20-year-old Olympic Marseilles star made the announcement on his personal website yesterday but the transfer is yet to be confirmed by either club.

Nasri claims he has signed a four-year contract with the Gunners following four successful years at the Stade Velodrome.

But his representative Jean-Pierre Bernes told French news agency AFP has denied that a deal has been reached and says that "discussions are continuing between the two clubs and the player".

"Nothing has been finalised, no element of the transfer has been finalised and everybody is still talking," Bernes confirmed.

"It is premature to announce anything at all."

Yesterday, Nasri's personal website published the following statement: "We inform you that Samir won't be an Olympique de Marseille player next season and that he has signed a four-year contract with London club Arsenal."

Arsenal have been known admirers of the versatile midfielder for some time and it was believed manager Arsene Wenger would move for Nasri before Euro 2008.

Wenger has been searching for midfield reinforcements since Mathieu Flamini left the club on a free transfer to AC Milan at the end of the season.

Since then Alexander Hleb has continually been linked with a move abroad after failing to settle in London. Nasri could be seen as a direct replacement for the Belarusian, thus paving the way for Hleb to leave.

Nasri is not a prolific goalscorer from midfield, bagging just six goals in 30 games for Marseille last season, but could provide a creative spark to the Gunners side.

It is reported that Nasri will cost Arsenal around €20 million (£15.8 million).

Once the French midfielder's transfer is confirmed he will become Wenger's second new recruit of the summer following the deal for Cardiff City's Aaron Ramsey.