Arsenal said in a statement on their official website, www.arsenal.com: “Arsenal can confirm that they have agreed terms for Samir Nasri to move to Manchester City.

“The 24-year-old midfielder, who has spent three years with the Gunners, has been omitted from Arsenal’s squad which flies to Udinese this afternoon and instead will travel north for a medical.

“The move will be subject to Nasri passing a medical and formal registration processes.”

Nasri trained with Arsenal this morning, fuelling speculation he would be in the squad for tomorrow night's game.

That would have cup-tied the France star, who started Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Liverpool, and arguably would have decreased his transfer value.

City have reportedly agreed to pay in the region of £24m for Nasri, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has refused to sign a new deal.

That has ultimately forced the hand of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who insisted earlier this summer the midfielder would not be sold.

Nasri's departure would be the latest setback in what has been one of the most miserable fortnights of Wenger's Arsenal career.

The Frenchman has already lost captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, has had to contend with a raft of injuries and suspensions and is facing a two-match touchline ban from UEFA after being charged with breaking the terms of an one-match ban during the first leg against Udinese.

From City’s point of view, Nasri’s arrival would provide even more creativity to a forward line that is already one of the most fearsome in the Premier League.

Sergio Aguero and David Silva have stolen the limelight so far this season, with Roberto Mancini’s men looking serious title contenders.

Wenger told BBC Sport: “The summer was very difficult because we had Cesc Fabregas and Nasri on permanent transfer negotiations and that is draining in the end.

“We lost two great players and that’s a sad side of the story but at some stage it has to be over, because you want to focus on the future.”