Samir Nasri has admitted Sir Alex Ferguson personally tried to sign him for Manchester United before Arsenal eventually sold Robin van Persie a year later.
The French midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Marseille in 2008, was one of Arsène Wenger’s brightest talents at the time. However, financial pressures following the construction of the Emirates Stadium forced the Gunners into selling key players.
Van Persie’s switch to Old Trafford in 2012 remains one of the Premier League’s most infamous transfers, but according to Nasri, Ferguson wanted him first — and held a clandestine meeting in Paris to make his pitch.
Nasri on Ferguson’s Pitch to Replace Scholes
The former Arsenal number eight recounted the secret talks during an appearance on ZACK’s YouTube channel:
“Around March or April, I met Alex Ferguson in Paris. It was very secret. We couldn’t be seen, so we met in an apartment and discussed. He told me: ‘You’ll replace Paul Scholes. You’ll be his successor.’ That’s huge — Scholes was a phenomenon.” — Samir Nasri
Nasri admitted he was initially more excited by the idea of joining United than Manchester City, citing their history and Ferguson’s personal touch. Juventus, Inter, Chelsea and PSG were also interested, but he ultimately decided to stay in England.
Why Nasri Chose City Over United
Despite Ferguson’s pitch, Nasri opted for the blue half of Manchester in 2011. The chance to be part of City’s first Premier League title in over half a century proved decisive.
“I called Ferguson and told him: ‘I’ve chosen Manchester City.’ He said, ‘Good luck,’ and hung up.” — Samir Nasri
City paid around £25 million to seal the deal in August 2011, leaving United to wait until the following year to prise Van Persie away from the Emirates.
Wenger’s Role and the Contract Dispute
Arsène Wenger had been desperate to keep Nasri, once calling him “intelligent” and “efficient.” But contract talks collapsed after Arsenal rejected Nasri’s request for a €40m release clause.
With just one year left on his deal, Arsenal cashed in, and Nasri departed with 125 appearances and 27 goals for the club.
Analyst Verdict
The revelation adds a fascinating twist to one of the defining transfer sagas of the last 15 years. Ferguson’s plan to replace Scholes with Nasri underlines the midfielder’s stock at the time, while Arsenal’s financial constraints showed how far the club had fallen behind United.
Nasri’s decision to join City paid off instantly with a Premier League medal in 2012, but for United fans, it adds another “what if” to Ferguson’s final years. Had Nasri chosen Old Trafford, Van Persie’s iconic move in 2012 might never have happened.
Key Insights
- Nasri reveals Ferguson met him secretly in Paris in 2011
- United wanted him as Paul Scholes’ successor
- Arsenal refused his request for €40m release clause
- Nasri chose City instead, joining for £25m
- United signed Van Persie a year later instead
What’s Next
Nasri’s admission reopens the debate about Arsenal’s most painful departures during the Emirates Stadium era. For United, it’s another reminder of Ferguson’s relentless pursuit of creative talent to keep his dynasty alive.
Would Manchester United have enjoyed the same success with Nasri instead of Van Persie — or did the Frenchman make the right call by joining City?
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 23 Aug 2025 08:30
He has never reached his Arsenal level at Man City. Hè choose money over United… I think he would have been better at United, but that’s just a guess because Fergie would have been his manager.
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