Samir Nasri casts doubt on Arsenal future

Samir Nasri has given the clearest indication yet that he might be on his way out of Arsenal. The 23-year-old Frenchman has another year left on his contract at the Emirates but has in recent weeks refused to sign a new deal, going against the wishes of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Rumours have been growing that the midfield maestro is being courted by Manchester United with compatriot Patrice Evra suggesting at the end of May that if Nasri wanted to win something he'd best come to Old Trafford.

Wenger has given Nasri until July to sign a new contract but the nutty professor's tough line doesn't seem to be working with the player, who told French footy programme Telefoot: "I don't know if I will sign a new contract... the discussions are ongoing. For the moment, I'm not really thinking about it."

As for a possible move to Manchester United, Nasri said he'd had no official approach but he wouldn't discount the idea though "we should see if [United's interest] is real."

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has apparently ruled out a bid for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker. The News of the World claims that the Arsenal boss has decided that the 30-year-old Hammer is not the sort of player capable of turning the Gunners into genuine title challengers. Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley is believed to have urged Wenger to sign the England playmaker but the NoW says in the end the Frenchman went against the advice and will instead look to the overseas market.

In other news the Express reports that Manchester City are gearing up to make Spurs an irresistible offer for Gareth Bale. The Citizens will allegedly start the bidding for the 21-year-old Welshman at £40m, even though they are aware the Lilywhites have said in the past they wouldn't sell the gifted winger for a penny under £50m. According to the Express, City are prepared to match Tottenham's valuation if push comes to shove such is the desperation of Roberto Mancini to sign Bale. The City manager believes Bale is the man who can give his side the quality to compete in next season's Champions League and to that end is prepared to break the bank.

Mind you City might not be short of a few quid before too long if they end up selling striker Carlos Tevez, who looks determined to do everything in his power to escape from Eastlands. The Argentine demanded a transfer from City last December, only to change his mind, but last month the rumours resurfaced that he wanted away from the Sky Blues. And if his recent comments on an Argentine talk show are anything to go by Tevez no longer sees himself in the Premier League. "I'm never going back to Manchester, not even on holiday, not for anything," he said, adding: "Manchester has nothing." Tevez went on to criticise the city's weather and the cost of living before adding: "I don't have any new friends in Manchester... I'm always on my own, especially in the last few months. I was with friends, but I've found the past few months very hard."

Though Tevez didn't comment on whether he was actively seeking a transfer from City, his agent Kia Joorabchian said: "I think it all boils down to his family. If they feel comfortable about moving to Manchester then there's every chance he will stay at Manchester."

The Mail says that Liverpool failure Joe Cole is on the verge of joining Tottenham. The former Chelsea midfielder moved to Anfield last summer only to flop like a Mel Gibson movie despite receiving a £90,000-a-week wage. The Mail alleges that when American tycoon John Henry took control of the club midway through last season he was nonplussed to learn that a player of Cole's questionable quality was earning so much – particularly as he turns 30 later this year. Injuries didn't help Cole's cause but now the Reds have accepted an offer from Spurs worth around £3m, and the player will undergo a routine medical this week before returning to London in the hope of resurrecting his career.

Finally, England forward Ashley Young will meet Aston Villa bosses this week to discuss his plans after the 25-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester United. Young's contract expires next year but he's becoming increasingly disenchanted with life at Villa Park and said: "I'm going to talk to him [Randy Lerner, the Villa chairman] this week. As a kid you always want to play in the best competitions. As a kid I wanted to play in the Champions League - and hopefully one day I will." ·