Manchester City want to sign Arsenal's Samir Nasri soon
- Published
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is hopeful a deal for Arsenal's Samir Nasri will be concluded quickly.
At a news conference ahead of Sunday's match against Bolton, Mancini said: "I don't know the last news because my concentration is on the game.
"But I hope - because the market finishes in the next 10 days."
Asked why there may have been a delay in the transfer going through, the Italian said: "I don't know - this is not my job."
He added: "I don't know why, but it is probably because Nasri is a good player, or because there is some problem."
The fee, should Nasri move from London to Manchester, is reported to be £25m.
The France midfielder, 24, would become the second high-profile departure from Arsenal this week after Cesc Fabregas joined Barcelona on Monday., external
Nasri used social networking site Twitter to congratulate Fabregas, external on his move and criticise Gunners fans, external who directed an abusive chant towards him during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Newcastle.
"I heard what the fans were singing about me on Saturday and it is really disrespectful because I'm still a Arsenal player," he wrote.
There were suggestions Nasri would undergo a medical on Wednesday - and camera crews gathered at the Bridgewater Hospital, external in Manchester.
But it did not materialise because the clubs were - and are still are - in negotiations and no medical can take place until a deal is agreed.
BBC Sport understands Arsenal are prepared for his departure but they want to secure the best possible deal and are in no rush to offload him.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is working hard to reinforce his squad - but none of the potential deals are dependent on the Nasri situation.
Arsenal began discussions with Nasri, external in December 2010 but the Frenchman is understood to have stalled on a new three-year contract worth £90,000 a week - and in June he cast further doubt over his future.
The Gunners reportedly turned down a £20m bid from Manchester United in early July and Arsene Wenger said he was prepared to lose Nasri on a free transfer next summer rather than sell him now.
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," stated Wenger. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you."
Mancini then made clear his Wenger claimed on Monday that the player may yet stay, the situation has since developed.
If the deal goes through Nasri will receive a huge pay rise and become Mancini's fourth major summer signing following the arrivals of Sergio Aguero.
Nasri has scored 27 goals in 124 appearances for Arsenal and has won 23 caps for France.