Arsenal have won the race to sign France
midfielder Samir Nasri from Marseille, BBC Sport understands. The
20-year-old, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane, has
reportedly agreed a four-year contract and will join after Euro
2008.
Nasri, who has made two appearances at this summer's European
Championship, has spent the last four seasons with the French side.
He came to prominence in France's U-17 European Championship side
in 2004. <!-- E SF -->
The 20-year-old is believed to have a £13.5m buy-out clause in
his contract. Nasri joined Marseille as a nine-year-old and made
his league debut during the 2004-2005 season.
Last season, Nasri, who can play on either wing, won the French
first division's young player of the year crown and was voted
Marseille's player of the year by fans. This campaign he scored six
goals in 30 games for the French outfit with the final strike in
his tally coming in the 4-3 win over Strasbourg last weekend that
helped secure Marseille's berth in next season's Champions
League.
Nasri had appeared at various youth international levels for
France before winning the first of seven senior caps in 2007,
though he only came on as a substitute as Les Bleus exited Euro
2008.
