Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Marseille: Nasri switch close

25 Jun 2008 - 08:19:41

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Marseille president Pape Bouba Diouf believes Samir Nasri's proposed transfer to Arsenal is close to being concluded.

The France international claimed earlier in the week that he had signed for the Gunners in a deal reported to be worth £15.8million, but the 20-year-old's agent was swift to deny any agreement had been reached.

However following a period of uncertainty, Diouf now believes the deal to sign the highly-rated forward is close to being completed.

"After much negotiations with him and his representatives, we have reached an agreement which will see Samir join Arsenal," he revealed.

"Samir was very concretely approached by Arsenal, a club which was also sent to us.

"So there are steps to be taken which are to establish a definitive agreement between the two clubs.

"It is not yet done even if verbally, agreements have been completed.

"There is indeed a strong likelihood that he plays at Arsenal next season, but until that agreement is formalised finally, we cannot talk of his departure."