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Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Carlos Tevez/Samir Nasri Swap Deal on the Cards?

Arun MCorrespondent IIIAugust 13, 2011

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17:  Carlos Tevez of Manchester City acknowledges the crowd after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at City of Manchester Stadium on May 17, 2011 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal have sensationally told Manchester City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have Samir Nasri, according to the Sun.co.uk.

Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester all summer.

And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have suddenly come up with their shock proposal.

Samir Nasri had turned down a new contract offered by the Arsenal board earlier in the transfer window. With Nasri not interested in signing a new contract, Arsenal was not ready to gamble by keeping him for another year and let him go on a free transfer.

Big-money spending Manchester City were the front-runners in signing Nasri with a bid around £22million-£25million.

Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week deal.

But Arsenal—also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc Fabregas—have blocked the move while they see if they can sort a swap with Tevez.

The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in City's favour for the Argentinian because the club's top scorer is valued at £50million.

The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is only one year remaining on the French star's contract—meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.

However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down by £10million.

Thus, the deal would involve Nasri + £15million for getting Tevez. Even if City accept to let Tevez go for such a bid, it is to be seen whether the forward will take a pay cut, as Arsenal's highest pay is £110,000 per week, some £90,000 less than Tevez's wages.

Also, Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his family in Argentina, but London is only 200 miles nearer to South America than Manchester.

However, SunSport understands Tevez would be delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a massive boost for their fans.

 An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the signing to give everyone a lift.

"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a will on all sides it can happen.

"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.

"It seems like win-win all round."

If Arsenal do manage to sign Tevez, then it will be a good signing as Wenger has been on the lookout for a striker who can play along with Robin Van Persie and also replace him in case of an injury.