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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has hinted the club may abandon their bid to sign Samir Nasri if the French midfielder plays in the Champions League for Arsenal on Wednesday.
Nasri played in the Gunners’ 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Liverpool on Saturday after his £22million switch to City was held up by a wrangle over agents’ fees.
Mancini said after City’s 3-2 League win at Bolton he hoped to sign Nasri within 24 hours but just as pertinent was his reply when asked if the club may look elsewhere if the deal doesn’t get done and the 24-year-old becomes ineligible for the Champions League by playing in Udinese on Wednesday.
Sam the man: Samir Nasri is on the cusp of a controversial switch to Manchester City;
Mancini said: ‘I don’t know. It’s possible but, hopefully, we close in the next 24 hours. If he plays in the Champions League (for Arsenal) it is a big problem for us. I hope we can have Nasri in the next day but I don’t know when.
‘We have followed him for 40 days and it’s important we take him. I don’t know why we haven’t closed this.’
City moved to the top of the Barclay’s Premier League with victory in an exciting game at the Reebok.
Mancini said he hopes to sign Nasri and one more player, thought to be a central defender.
Strength in depth: Roberto Mancini is desperate for the Nasri deal to be sewn up soon;
Joleon Lescott struggled yesterday and it is thought Mancini wants to sign a replacement. It is understood that City will not allow him to buy another player, so that defender would have to be a loan.
Mancini added: ‘We need some players if we want to complete our team. I hope Nasri is not the last one in. It is important the team are balanced and don’t concede these stupid goals. A top team can’t concede a goal and let them be in the game.
‘We dominated and it’s impossible the game should still be almost 3-3.’
Still here: Carlos Tevez made his first appearance of the season;
Goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko were the least City deserved, but Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies kept Wanderers in contention until the end.
Carlos Tevez was a second-half substitute for City, making his first appearance of the campaign after a close season in which he made clear his desire to leave the club to be nearer to his family in South America.
A proposed switch to Corinthians fell through and Mancini does not expect Tevez to leave before the end of August.
He said: 'Carlos is here, I don't think the situation will change. Carlos is an important player, a top player for us and at the moment we haven't received any offers for him.'
Bolton boss Owen Coyle was delighted with his side's play and attitude but was left frustrated by the goals they conceded.
The Scot said: '(My players) more than fought very well, they showed a lot of great quality on the ball and there were some terrific passing moves, accepting you're playing against an elite club, a club that's spent vast amounts of wealth, and they've assembled a terrific team.
Silva lining: City beat Bolton thanks largely to the brilliance of David Silva;
'You have to give credit where credit's due and the way they can pass and move the ball we're all aware of because of the quality they have.
'But my disappointment is we probably gifted them one or two of the goals. And if top clubs are going to beat you then let them go and earn it. But they had chances
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