New player at Eastlands: Gael Clichy

Manchester City could finally be set for their first signing of the summer as they are confident that Arsenal left -back Gael Clichy will seal a £7m move to the Eastlands.

Usually big spenders, City have been quite this summer so far. But reports now suggest that they have agreed a bargain £7m fee with Londoners for Clichy and the player is expected to arrive in Manchester early next week.

Clichy the new "blue"

At the same time, Citizens have distanced themselves from reports that they are also trying to persuade Arsenal into a £20m deal for Samir Nasri.

Liverpool, PSG and Roma were also interested in the French defender, who has a year left on his contract at the Emirates and looks sure to leave this summer.

But with Liverpool reportedly unwilling to pay more than £5 million for the left-back, the player will be on his way to Eastlands.

The 25-year-old has been Arsenal’s first choice left back since Ashley Cole departed for Chelsea in 2006 and is the Gunners’ longest-serving player.

His arrival would surely bring to an end City’s long and expensive search for a left-back.

Clichy would take the place of Aleksander Kolarov, who struggled after joining from Lazio in a £16 million move last season.

Clichy’s contract situation and unwillingness to discuss a new deal with Arsenal means Arsene Wenger will have little option but to cash in now, rather than lose the player for nothing in a year.

Though Leighton Baines has been linked with Arsenal, and might be seen as a ready-made replacement for Clichy, it is thought Wenger is ready to place his faith in Kieron Gibbs to fill the gap on the left of Arsenal’s defence.

The Emirates side brace themselves for the imminent loss of three established senior players with Cesc Fabregas wanted by Barcelona and Manchester United said to be hoping to make the most of Samir Nasri’s contract uncertainty.

The saga of Fabregas’ return to Barcelona may at last be drawing to a close, after an improved offer from the European champions, while contract rebel  Nasri looks increasingly likely to complete a controversial move to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman has overtaken Tottenham’s Luka Modric and Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s prime target for the attacking midfield role vacated by the retired Paul Scholes.

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas, Eastlands, Emirates, France, Gael Clichy, Kolarov Aleksandar, Lazio, manchester city, Samir Nasri