Samir Nasri walked into Manchester City and claimed: I’ve joined the new Galacticos.
Nasri claims this is the nickname the Blues have been given in his native France because of their star-filled side.
He is excited about playing with world-class talents such as Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Yaya Toure after finally clinching his protracted £24million move from Arsenal.
“In France, they call City the Galacticos, like it was with Real Madrid when Zidane and Ronaldo and everyone was playing together for them,” said the midfielder.
“They are all big players. When you arrive at the club, you want to play with these big players.
“In the first game Aguero played [for City], he scored twice and had an assist. I love those kind of players. They are not tall - like me - have quick feet and good technique. When you play with someone like this you want to have a connection with them.
“No doubt with them, Yaya, Edin Dzeko or Carlos Tevez, if he stays, you’re just happy to be in the same dressing room as them and can’t wait to play with them.”
Nasri is the latest Gooner to join City and says his old pals Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure recommended the club to him.
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, who is City’s new player development executive, played a key role in selling the megabucks Mancunians to Nasri.
Invincible captain Vieira was one of the first people Nasri met when he arrived at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday afternoon to sign his four-year contract.
The pair hugged outside Vieira’s office and Nasri says his countryman had convinced him the club has a bright future.
“I spoke with Gael and Kolo a lot,” he said. “They called me when I was on holiday and I also spoke with Patrick. It was important to get advice from players who have played for the club and know the difference between Arsenal and Man City.
“Patrick made a big difference as he is a legend in France and everyone loves and respects him.
“When a player like this, who has played for Arsenal, Inter Milan and Juventus, tells you that City is the place to be because it’s the club of the future, because they want to win everything and have a big, big project, then you have to listen.”
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also spoke to Nasri, who said he was flattered by Blues manager Roberto Mancini’s determination to land him.
“The chairman told me he is really happy I have finally joined,” said the former Marseille star. “I was the target and now everyone is happy.”
Mancini, who had become increasingly frustrated by the delay in signing Nasri, claimed he first wanted to sign him five years ago, when the City boss was in charge at Inter Milan.
He is thrilled to have finally landed his man and sees him operating in tandem with Spanish playmaker Silva.
“I think he is a fantastic player,” said Mancini. “He has technique and a great mentality.
“I remember when he played for Marseille and I was following him when I was at Inter. In fact, I wanted to take him five years ago.
“After three years in the Premier League, he has improved a lot and is now a top player. He’s a player like David Silva, but the different is he can also play in the middle of the park.
“I can see them in the same side. One can play left and one can play right, even though they are not wingers.
"It’s exciting. He’s still young at 24 years old and for the club, the future is good.”
Posted by David Anderson, MirrorFootball
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