Manchester City move not money motivated insists Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri insists his lucrative move to Manchester City was not motivated by a huge increase in salary.

The 24-year-old France midfielder this week signed a four-year contract at City worth a reported £180,000 per week after Arsenal agreed to sell him for around £24 million.

If correct, that figure doubles the improved wages the Gunners were apparently prepared to offer to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.

Nasri, however, claims it is the prospect of winning trophies with City's star-studded side that influenced his decision to leave London.

When asked whether money was an issue, Nasri, speaking as he was officially unveiled as a City player today, said: "No.

"I can let people think what they want. Me, I know my choice and my choice is about football.

"We will see at the end of the season when we will lift a trophy, we will talk about my choice again and we will show everyone who was thinking about money that they were wrong."

Nasri adds to a wealth of expensive attacking talent at the Etihad Stadium that includes Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.

City are expected to mount a strong challenge for the Barclays Premier League title and Nasri has no doubt they are now the chief rivals to champions Manchester United.

"I think so," Nasri said. "It's the biggest challenge for Man United.

"When you see the investment of the last three seasons you see they bring some muscle and real quality players.

"World-class players are not scared to come to Man City and you can see that with Sergio Aguero.

"I'm confident we can win a trophy because I saw the quality on the pitch.

"I said it was a club of the future and I am still convinced of that."

Nasri also sought today to clarify remarks he made earlier in the week about Arsenal supporters.

After signing, Nasri hailed the "passion" of City supporters and suggested they displayed an enthusiasm he had not seen in his three years with the Gunners.

He said: "I just said I saw real passion when I signed here and I said Arsenal was a little bit different. That is the only thing I said.

"Don't get me wrong, I never said Arsenal fans have a lack of passion."

Nasri could make his City debut against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

City are looking for a third successive win after impressive performances against Swansea and Bolton.

Manager Roberto Mancini said: "It's possible he will be involved.

"He's fit and has worked with Arsenal for a month.

"I think it will be a different game in London because I think Tottenham are one of the best teams in the Premier League. It will be a tough game."

While Mancini has suggested his summer recruitment may be over by saying "I think we have a good squad at this moment", City are not finished in terms of outgoings.

Craig Bellamy, who has been linked with Liverpool, is one of several high-profile players surplus to requirements and looks likely to leave before next Wednesday's transfer deadline.

Emmanuel Adebayor yesterday joined Tottenham on loan while the likes of Wayne Bridge, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha and Roque Santa Cruz could also move on.

When asked about Bellamy, Mancini said: "I don't know what's going to happen in the next days.

"Craig is a good player, Bridge is a good player and it's important for them and for me to find a good solution.

"It could be [Liverpool] and it's important players from City can go to a good team.

"We have another week and I hope can find a good solution for them."

City will soon have Kolo Toure available again as the defender's ban for taking a prohibited substance is due to expire in a week's time.

Mancini said: "Kolo is a fantastic guy. He has experience in Champions League and for us he will be one of the important players."

City yesterday learned their opponents for their first Champions League campaign as they were drawn alongside Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli in the group stages.

Nasri said: "It's a tough group, especially when we have to play in Napoli and the atmosphere there.

"Bayern Munich are a big team but we know our quality and we can go through."