Arsenal braced to finally lose key pair Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri

Fabregas is required at the club’s London Colney base tomorrow, even though Barcelona hope to conclude a deal before the Arsenal squad fly to Malaysia on Sunday for the start of their pre-season tour in Asia.

The two clubs have remained in communication since the rejection of an initial £27 million bid, with Arsenal holding out for a deal that values Fabregas above £40 million and Barcelona reluctant to go beyond £35 million.

Nasri is not due back at training until Thursday but, after stalling on a contract offer from Arsenal that is worth £23.4 million over five years, appears increasingly determined to leave this summer.

In an interview yesterday that risks antagonising Wenger, he pointedly said that winning trophies and having “a big career” was his priority.

Manchester United, who are ready to bid £20 million for Nasri, have won eight trophies since Arsenal’s last piece of silverware in the 2005 FA Cup final.

“Money has never been my motivation,” Nasri said. “I have always taken decisions from a football point of view. I don’t want to sign for a club where I wouldn’t be playing the football that I like, where I wouldn’t feel happy, just for the sake of money.

“We already earn huge wages. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles. With no titles under your belt, you can’t be in the list for the Ballon d’Or.”

Manchester City, who are confident of signing Gael Clichy from Arsenal this week, and Chelsea are also both interested in Nasri.

Although Arsenal are in a difficult negotiating position given that Nasri is in the final year of his contract, Wenger has already resolved not to sell one of his best players to Manchester United.

As is the case with Fabregas, he would ideally like to deal with a club outside of the Premier League, meaning that the interest of AC Milan cannot be discounted.

It is understood, however, that Nasri is particularly attracted to the prospect of joining Manchester United.

Arsenal are well aware that they are likely to be quoted inflated prices for players if they sell Clichy, Fabregas and Nasri in quick succession, meaning they would ideally like to reinforce their squad before losing players.

The signing of Lille striker Gervinho is imminent and there is interest in Gary Cahill, Christopher Samba, Ricardo Alvarez and Juan Mata. Marseille and France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is also under consideration as a potential replacement for Fabregas or Nasri.

There is competition from Inter Milan for Alvarez but Gervinho, a 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, is committed to joining Arsenal.

“I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily,” he said. “A risk? Not at all. I’m going to Arsenal to play.

“In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I’m going to Arsenal to win. I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench.

“Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game. The Premier League is a notch above.

“It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also poised to recruit Hector Bellerin, a 16-year-old full-back, from Barcelona’s academy.

Arsenal have already turned down an offer for Nicklas Bendtner from Borussia Dortmund but Benfica now also interested in the Denmark striker.