Samir Nasri transfer - Man Utd lead Man City in race to sign Arsenal FC star

Manchester United are reportedly ready to make a £22million bid for Arsenal winger Samir Nasri in order to outbid rivals Manchester City

The France international is a target for both Manchester rivals, with reports on Thursday suggesting City were keen on the 24-year-old after ending their pursuit of Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez.

Nasri has twelve months left on his contract at Arsenal and will be sold in the next few weeks unless he puts pen-to-paper on the new deal on the table at the Emirates.

But a move looks increasingly likely and according to the Daily Mirror, City boss Roberto Mancini will offer £15m to prise Nasri away from north London, with the club prepared to offer him a stagging £180,000 a WEEK to move to Eastlands.

Mancini has already agreed a £7m deal with the Gunners for defender Gael Clichy as Arsenal prepare to lose three key players this summer, with captain Cesc Fabregas also expected to leave the club to join Barcelona.

Nasri has been offered a new long-term deal at Arsenal believed to be worth around £90,000-a-week and one of the reasons he is yet to sign it is because he reportedly wants to be the club's highest earner, with some reports in recent weeks suggesting he is looking for nearly £140,000-a-week.

Nasri is also believed to be keen to see how ambitious Wenger is this summer in the transfer market before agreeing to stay.

But while City's megabucks offer would certainly appeal to the player, City's bid may not be enough, as Premier League champions United are reportedly ready to launch a £22m.

According to the Daily Star, United officials have already spoken with Nasri's camp and boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to make an improved offer as he looks to make the former Marseille man his fourth and final big signing of the summer following the arrivals of David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones.

Luring Nasri to Old Trafford would take Manchester United’s spending for the summer past the £70m mark.

And according to Friday's report, Ferguson wants a deal for Nasri to be wrapped up before the Red Devils fly out to north America for a pre-season tour on July 11th.

Nasri is due to go on Arsenal's pre-season tour of the Far East next week, but the Scot has reportedly told United chief executive David Gill to wrap up a deal before he is due to fly out.

A source told the newspaper: "United want to sign Nasri as soon as possible. He’s been a target for several months and the manager wants it all done and dusted before the trip to America."