Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has claimed that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are certainly leaving the Emirates this summer the Telegraph reports.
The Gunners’ Moroccan striker insisted that the midfield pair would be gone once boss Arsene Wenger has bought replacements for them.
His claims come after Fabregas and Nasri were included in the squad for the Champions League tie with Udinese suggesting Wenger is looking to retain both players.
“I think both are close to leaving.” Chamakh said.
“The manager is looking for replacements, has not found them, and before letting [Fabregas and Nasri] go, he wants to have someone to fill each of their positions.”
He went on to say: “Nasri has just one year left on his contract. If they do not sell him, he will leave for free in the summer”
“Is the club disposed to reject £18 million to keep a player that good for just one year? It is strange that a club like Arsenal has not made him sign a contract earlier.”
Despite Chamakh’s insistence that both are leaving North London it seems that Wenger is prepared to keep both players after picking them to play against the Serie A side.
His claims may hold strength considering the Arsenal boss has tried to sign Valencia’s Juan Mata and also brought Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the Emirates.
Barcelona remain keen to bring Fabregas to the Nou Camp this summer and end the long running transfer saga whilst Manchester City are said to be weighing up a fresh £22 million bid for Nasri.