Manchester City flexed their financial muscle on Thursday evening, pinching Gael Clichy from beneath the noses of Liverpool and hatching a plot to wreck Manchester United's pursuit of Samir Nasri.
City have agreed a £7million, four-year deal for Arsenal left back Clichy but boss Roberto Mancini could return to the Emirates for Nasri, who has less than a year left on his contract, if he fails to net No 1 target Alexis Sanchez from Udinese.
On the move: Contract rebel Nasri is wanted by Manchester City
City have not given up on landing Sanchez, 22, despite suggestions to the contrary, and are optimistic that their spending power might see off Barcelona's challenge.
The loss of Clichy, and potentially Nasri, is a disturbing development for the Gunners, who are also in talks with Barcelona about the proposed transfer of Cesc Fabregas, which could be worth nearly £40m.
It piles more pressure on Arsene Wenger, a manager who is yet to strengthen a squad which capitulated at the end of last season, extending the club's barren spell to seven years.
Done deal: Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has agreed a £7m move to Eastlands
Ivory Coast striker Gervinho is inching closer to an £11m switch from Lille but, so far, Carl Jenkinson, a teenage defender signed from Charlton, is Wenger's only summer recruit.
Change of scenery: Could Nasri be wearing the blue of Manchester City next season?
It is not only frustrated supporters who are watching the manager's next moves with interest. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are both two years from the end of their contracts and want to assess the club's ambition before they commit.
With Denilson admitting to Brazilian media that he is considering offers from Villarreal and Sao Paulo, Wenger must also convince new Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke that his methods can still deliver a trophy.
Under such intense scrutiny, he will fight to avoid losing Nasri to a direct rival, even if it means the midfielder runs down the final year of his deal and walks out on a free transfer.
United are prepared to pay around £15m for the France midfielder, but the emergence of City could propel the final figure nearer £20m. Chelsea are also monitoring developments.
Worryingly for Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson has acted swiftly in the market, adding to his title-winning squad by investing nearly £50m in David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young.
'They are great signings,' said United defender Patrice Evra yesterday. 'I am very confident about the future. We hope to retain the title but also to win the Champions League.'
One Arsenal player certainly bound for Manchester is Clichy, 25, who has resisted interest from Liverpool and abroad to agree a move to City.
Ready to fill the void? Wenger has doubts over whether Gibbs is the long-term solution at left-back
Sportsmail understands former Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry has been advising Clichy, and urged him to remain at the Emirates, but the France defender has refused to renew a contract that runs out next summer.
Wenger is interested in Everton's Leighton Baines but is reluctant to match the £15m asking price and instead plans to examine the credentials of Thomas Vermaelen in pre-season. The defender prefers to play centrally but is left-sided and played regularly at full back for Ajax.
Kieran Gibbs is also at the club but Wenger has doubts that the 21-year-old is ready to be his first-choice left back.
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