Arsenal play down reports of 12.5m deal for 'new Zinedine Zidane' Nasri

Samir Nasri in action for Marseilles

It is believed Arsenal will make no formal announcement of Nasri's capture
until all documents, including international clearance, are completed.

  A club spokesperson said: "There has been no signing yet. In line with our
usual policy, we will only announce when they are done."

  However, manager Arsene Wenger, who maintains Belarus star Hleb will not be
allowed to buy out the remaining two years of his Arsenal contract, wants to
recruit the Frenchman before the start of the Euro 2008 finals next weekend and
confirmation is expected in the next 48 hours.

  Nasri, 20, can operate on the left of midfield, where Hleb has been playing, or
through the middle, where Arsenal have a hole to fill following the exit of
fellow Frenchman Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan.

  Nasri has been tagged in France as 'the new Zinedine Zidane' after the
Algerian-born former Les Bleus captain and has already scored his first goal for
the senior national side.

  He has been named in Raymond Domenech's Euro 2008 squad but Wenger has been trailing him for a while and wants to move in now before prices go up if Nasri
proves a star in Austria and Switzerland.

  Wenger has been encouraged by recent suggestions from the Arsenal board he will
have more financial clout in the transfer market this summer and has so far not
wavered on his determination to keep Hleb, 27, despite constant reports the
player is on his way to Italian champions Inter Milan - or Spain, with either
Real Madrid or Barcelona said to be interested.

  Now media reports in Germany have quoted former Hamburg SV star Hleb as saying
claims he wants to leave Arsenal are "nonsense" and he loves the club and has
great respect for boss Wenger.

  However, Hleb's representative Uli Ferber told the Daily Telegraph: "It is
always a great honour that a club like Real Madrid is interested in him.

  "This confirms the good work that Hleb has been doing in these last few years
that he is being recognised by one of the greatest clubs in the world."

  The latest speculation is Ferber and Hleb met Barcelona's sporting director
Txiki Begiristain in Kaiserslautern this week before the friendly international
clash between Belarus and Germany and Barca are close to making a £12million
offer to Arsenal.