Rumour: Arsenal's Bacary Sagna to join Manchester City

Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna is reportedly set to snub Arsenal’s offer of a contract and exit the club – but has decided he wishes to stay in England with a Premier League rival.

Arsenal have made one last final contract offer to Sagna in the hope that he might extend his stay at the Emirates beyond the end of the season, with the Frenchman’s current deal due to expire in June, but the two parties are still way off in terms of both salary and duration of the contract.

Several clubs in France, Italy and Turkey have all been keen on Sagna and held talks with his representatives over a potential Bosman free transfer in the summer but, according to French daily, l’Equipe, it has emerged that Sagna’s preference is to remain in England – but not with Arsenal.

Sagna is believed to be unhappy with the contract offer made to him by the Gunners and has made up his mind to leave the club, but his love for the Premier League could see him jump ship to one of their title rivals.

Manchester City have held a long-term interest in Sagna after resigning themselves the fact that Micah Richards will push for a move away from the club after finding first team football hard to come by, as they require competition for Pablo Zabaleta.

Sagna has friends from the national team and former Arsenal players in Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri already at City, but they could face competition from Chelsea, who have also raised a recent interest in Sagna.