After spending the last five years as one of the first names on the team sheet at Manchester City, Samir Nasri faces an uncertain future as Pep Guardiola looks set to loan the French international to Sevilla in a deadline day deal.
Nasri featured on twelve occasions in the Premier League last season, scoring twice. With big money signings to the Manchester City squad in the summer he appears to have slipped further down the pecking order.
Both Nolito and Leroy Sane signed from Celta Vigo and Schalke respectively, along with in form Raheem Sterling will feature heavily this season. With playmaker duties spread between David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne it is difficult to imagine Nasri securing much game time.
A lack of involvement and excessive wages for a fringe player may have been the catalyst for Guardiola’s decision to allow Nasri to move on, albeit on a temporary basis to secure much needed game time.
According to Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. the Spanish club will cover 65 per cent of Nasri’s wages for the duration of the loan deal. Despite showing an urgency to move Nasri on before the transfer deadline, there appears to be no deal in place for Sevilla to purchase the player upon completion of his loan.
For Nasri it may be the perfect opportunity to reestablish himself as a creative force in a league where Guardiola himself rose to prominence as both a player and manager. Being an expert on the Spanish game, Guardiola will cast a keen eye on the development of Nasri over the coming season.
If he can performs to a high standard and regain his form of old, he may find a place for him once more among the elite stars at Manchester City next season. Failing that an upturn in form may see both the asking price and interest in Nasri increase to make a sale next summer even more profitable.
The deal is another example of the ruthlessness of Guardiola as he stamps his authority on his inherited squad of superstars. On reflection a move for Nasri looks to be the best for all parties concerned and should be finalised smoothly upon completion of a medical.