Nasri: I didn´t move for money

Samir Nasri has reiterated that he did not move from Arsenal to Manchester City because of money.

Since the playmaker made the 23-million-pound move there have been numerous suggestions, including those from the midfielder’s former boss Arsene Wenger, that Nasri decided to leave purely for the high wages City could offer.

However the 24-year-old has moved to set the record straight insisting a look at the table shows why he swapped London for Manchester, as well as revealing a transfer abroad would have been of higher financial value.

“When you’re a fan of a club, you don’t know what happens on the inside. The easiest thing for the fans to say is ‘He went there for the money, he betrayed us’,” Nasri told The Times.

“I had a better (financial) proposition in another country, which I didn’t choose.”

“Yes I have good wages here, I can’t deny, but every player has good wages. If you play at Arsenal, you have better wages than somewhere else.”

“I didn’t choose Manchester City for the money. The Premier League table shows that.”

The French international has not had the best start to his City career, with a number of below-par performances leading to him failing to hold down a regular starting place in the team so far this season.

Nasri admits he has not played to the best of his ability since arriving at Etihad Stadium, insisting it is difficult to adapt to a new club.

“So far it’s not my best season. It’s always difficult when you change clubs, even when you stay in the same league,” he said.

“I had a difficult season at Arsenal too, my first one, and after that everything went well.”

“I’ve had a discussion with the manager. I know how things are. I know that, if I score goals and make assists, then I’ll play. If I’m not in good form, I won’t play.”

“I’m a competitor and I love playing in the big games. But sometimes you have to accept that, in a big squad, you have to be on the bench, especially if you’re not in good form. Then, when you have the chance, you have to show you deserve to play.”