Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Sead Kolasinac and Samir Nasri Rumours

Schalke 04's Sead Kolasinac is reportedly wanted by a host of clubs, but Manchester City are said to be leading the race to sign the Bosnia and Herzegovina international.

A report from German source Sport Bild (h/t TalkSport) has put City ahead of Premier League duo Chelsea and West Ham United in the queue for a player whose contract expires in the summer.

The reports also indicated how City have repeatedly watched left-back Kolasinac. A move during the January transfer window has been mooted, with Schalke tipped to accept a reduced fee for a player who will be able to walk away for free at the end of the season.

Further details from the Sport Bild report were provided by Sport Witness. The additional context is that City's scouts have been running the rule over Kolasinac for the last five weeks.

Interestingly, other details involve taking note of the player's versatility. Kolasinac can also play centre-back, flexibility City manager Pep Guardiola will surely welcome.

The Spaniard often converts full-backs or defensive midfielders into central defenders when he's looking for options in the middle boasting greater pace or more confidence in possession.

Left-back is an obvious position of need for City. There's ample experience in the form of Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov, but questions remain about both players.

Former Arsenal man Clichy is now 31. While he's remained quick, he's also stayed accident-prone. As for 31-year-old Kolarov, he's often been used at centre-back this season, as Guardiola seeks more accomplished ball players at the back.

Snapping up a talent like Kolasinac on a free would be a smart way to address the position this winter.

Guardiola Wanted Samir Nasri to Stay

Samir Nasri has stated Guardiola wanted him to stay at Manchester City, despite refusing to guarantee the French playmaker a first-team place. Nasri, who is on loan at Sevilla, also said Guardiola told him how a player with his qualities should be at Barcelona, rather than plying his trade in Manchester.

Speaking to French television program L’Equipe du Soir (h/t Goal), Nasri revealed how Guardiola backtracked on initial criticism to try to encourage him to stay: "Guardiola told me, 'With your qualities you should not be at Manchester City, you should be at Barcelona.'"

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However, Nasri says he was adamant he wanted to receive assurances about playing time: "We had some discussions, he wanted me to stay and play for him. I told him, 'No' because he couldn't assure me a first-team place. I wanted to play."

Nasri pointed out what Guardiola thought of the attacking midfielder's plans to leave Manchester: "He told me he thought I was making a mistake, but I still have a two-year contract."

The former Marseille and Arsenal star also revealed how he clashed more than once with his new manager, after Guardiola was critical of his fitness this summer:

"

Guardiola told me that I was a mess, he told me several times and even kicked me in the butt, literally. When I returned from holiday having had a year with injury problems and personal-life problems, I was a little out of shape. Not as much as what was said but four kilos overweight.

For Guardiola, over 2.5 kilos and you do not you train with the group.

"

There's a sense of bitterness in Nasri's last words, or at least a defensive reaction to Guardiola's demands. Nasri may feel aggrieved, but the truth is his decision to take a loan spell in La Liga has worked out for both player and club.

The 29-year-old has performed well with Sevilla, scoring three goals and providing an assist, according to WhoScored.com. More than just his numbers, Nasri has rediscovered a swagger not seen in his game since his final season at Arsenal in 2010/11.

The Frenchman is again displaying the trickery and flair that can make him a considerable threat in the final third.

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In fact, ESPN FC's David Mooney even thinks Nasri has been missed at City, citing the difference he might have made in some recent frustrating matches: "Nasri's ability to navigate through tight spots and keep possession when crowded out would probably have been the biggest help to Guardiola over the course of the recent 1-1 draws at the Etihad with Everton, Southampton and Middlesbrough."

Always a mercurial talent, Nasri is capable of being a match-winner for any club on his day. So the suggestion he would be a fit for Barcelona's stylish and possession-based game is not as outlandish as it may first appear.

Yet some may reasonably question whether City's manager would really paint his new club in such a relatively unflattering light by suggesting his players could do better.

Either way, Mooney's suggestion City have missed Nasri is a little dubious. For one thing, not having to accommodate him has given Guardiola more license to feature some impressive new signings.

In particular, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane have both gotten valuable playing time. Meanwhile, Fernandinho has redefined his role as a deep-lying playmaker in front of the back four.

Perhaps most important, David Silva has been given a roving brief on the left flank, a position Nasri would likely have vied for. With Kevin De Bruyne supporting Silva from an advanced central position, City are amply stocked with creativity in forward areas.

It's difficult to believe Guardiola's squad has really missed Nasri. The inconsistent Frenchman would be best served forgetting about how his brief time with Guardiola went and concentrate instead on reviving his career in Spain.

Guardiola is still putting the pieces together at key areas of his squad. Getting younger in defence with a player such as Kolasinac has to be a priority.

Yet attacking midfield is one position where Guardiola and City are more than well-stocked, with or without Nasri.