Arsenal Transfer Rumors: The Future of Samir Nasri Remains Uncertain

The speculation surrounding Samir Nasri’s future continues to blow hot and cold.

Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League playoff tie against Udinese, Arsene Wenger spoke about Nasri as very much a part of the Arsenal dressing room. He insisted that the player was committed to the season ahead and seemed confident that an agreement could be reached over a new contract.

Contrast to that were Manchester City manager Robert Mancini’s comments in The Mirror on the weekend. He stated he was disappointed the City board could not wrap up the Nasri deal in time for their game against Swansea on Monday night.

It’s one of the more tricky sagas to put a finger on. There is not a lot of evidence to suggest Nasri could be an Arsenal player come September 1st, as he was left out of the Arsenal squad on the weekend for their 0-0 draw away to Newcastle.

The player, who seems to be suffering from “illness,” was part of the France squad only three days earlier and took part in their 1-1 draw with Costa Rica.

At the same time, Wenger has chosen to include the player in his Champions League squad—despite suspension—and continues to assure fans that he has no intention of letting the player go.

Wenger vowed to move on both Nasri and Gael Clichy if they had not signed contract extensions by June 30th—yet, oddly, we continue to see Nasri train with the first-team squad at Arsenal.

Wenger also touched on the fact that Nasri’s situation was in no way linked to the departure of Cesc Fabregas.

The feeling coming out of the club in recent weeks was that both would be moved on and replacements bought in for both individuals.

As has been mentioned, Nasri will not take part in tonight’s game against Udinese, as he will serve a one-match ban. But it's still very up in the air whether he will participate in Arsenal’s league clash with Liverpool on the weekend.

I think we can ascertain that Nasri’s involvement, or lack of, in that game will be an indication of where his future lies.

With only 15 days left of the summer transfer window, it's of paramount importance that Wenger come to a conclusion to this Nasri saga and replace other outgoing players accordingly.