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It's always bemusing to read about elite clubs signing a star player from a rival club. But frankly, these transfers rarely materialize. In general, the thought of Samir Nasri going to Manchester United is assumed to be salient enough that some Internet Joe might click on the article. This achieves an end, sure. But in reality, the idea is specious at best. In fact, the speculation is always based around some quote taken out of context. In this instance, Nasri was asked about moving to Manchester United, and he didn't say "no"—implicit approval enough for some British papers. "Do I want to go to Man United?" Nasri said to reporters at Telefoot. "Initially, we should see if it's real and if it is concrete." That was all he said. But it hasn't stopped numerous publications regurgitating the quotes with a nice little spin; hasn't stopped me from writing this reaction piece. Of course he wouldn't mind going to Manchester United—he plays for Arsenal. But there's little reason why Man United would want him and nor would their fans. In a footballing sense, he would fit into the team nicely as an attacking central midfielder to replace Paul Scholes. But there's little precedent of star players switching from rival clubs within a domestic league. United manager Alex Ferguson tends to plunder prospects from mid- or lower-table clubs within the league, or reaches out to foreign clubs for more established stars. United aren't about to sign Samir Nasri. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said so himself: "One thing's for sure, we're not selling him to United," he told French reporters. "We have a financial disagreement [with Nasri] which hasn't yet been settled. We are still in discussions, but we haven't agreed a deal." United fans wouldn't want him either. He's scored against them, and we are thereby conditioned to hate him. He plays for an English rival. It's not a wonder why rumor pieces like these emerge after any player is quoted mentioning another team, but there's no benefit to anyone except the producer after each speculative piece is published. Manchester United are rumored to be targeting Luka Modric from Spurs, which may intuively go against everything I've just written. But Spurs aren't Arsenal and United have no real rivalry with Tottenham. Nor does the northern club see Spurs as real competitors. Apparently nor does Spurs if they agreed to sell him to United. Ultimately, United are more likely to persuade Wesley Sneijder from Inter or falling back on an overpriced Modric only after other options are consumed. But fans of the Red Devils should at least rest assured a certain snood-wearing Frenchman is highly unlikely to pollute their club's ranks.
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