Samir Nasri is set to be omitted from the Arsenal squad that will face Udinese in Champions League playoff action on Wednesday, according to reports out of London.
Closing in on a £22 million transfer to Manchester City, the Arsenal midfielder has told manager Arsene Wenger that he does not want to become cup-tied, a status which could possibly derail the 24-year-old's move to Eastlands.
According to The Guardian, Nasri will not travel to Udine, where Arsenal will defend the 1-0 lead accumulated in last Tuesday in the first leg of the teams' UEFA Champions League playoff tie.
The tie's winner advances to the competition's group stage, while the loser is relegated to the Europa League.
The difference in revenue between competing in the group stages of Champions League and Europa League is estimated at near €20 million.
Nasri was a surprising inclusion in Arsenal's Saturday lineup to face Liverpool, a match the Gunners l0st 2-0 at the Emirates despite Nasri serving as one of the team's few bright spots. He was expected to be excluded from Wenger's team after reports Friday had Arsenal and Manchester City close to a transfer agreement.
Nasri, in the final year of his deal with Arsenal, has turned down a contract extension which would pay him £90,000 per week. The contract being offered by Manchester City will reportedly pay Nasri almost twice as much per week.
Were Nasri to play on Wednesday, he would be ineligible to play for another club in Champions League this season. Manchester City, by virtue of finishing third in last year's Premier League, is already qualified for the competition's group stage.
Nasri was suspended for last week's first leg versus Udinese.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said his club could abandon their pursuit of Nasri should he feature against Udinese.
