Manchester City are reportedly keen on signing Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and his potential arrival could be a repeat of the masterclass that saw Samir Nasri join from the Gunners in 2011.

According to reports from 90min last month, Pep Guardiola's side are looking to take advantage of Saka's precarious contract situation at the Emirates by bringing him to the Etihad in 2023, with the England international yet to extend his current deal with the north London club past 2024.

Having progressed through Arsenal's academy, the 21-year-old is now at the forefront of Mikel Arteta's title charge at the Emirates, with six goals and six assists to his name in the top flight so far this campaign, a tally that has seen his value rise astronomically to £97m.

The talented winger was one of the star performers earlier in the season when the Gunners beat Liverpool 3-2, a performance that showcased he can mix it with the very best. After that win, BBC pundit Danny Murphy was full of praise for him and Gabriel Martinelli.

He said: “The two young lads playing left and right for them would be giving any defences in Europe or world football a problem. Great players can force teams into mistakes.

“They’re relentless. They’re so direct and so full of confidence at the moment.”

Should Txiki Begiristain prise the youngster away from the Emirates this year, he will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Nasri, who swapped Arsenal for City in 2011, having scored 15 goals in all competitions under Arsene Wenger the previous season, so he was obviously a key player for the Gunners.

The Frenchman would go on to win four honours with Manchester City, making 176 appearances and contributing an impressive 27 goals and 40 assists.

He played a significant part in the Citizens' title win in 2013/14, notching a superb seven goals and nine assists in the top flight, so if Saka could produce similar numbers in Guardiola's side and help lead them to more success, he would surely prove to be a top signing by the club.

City have signed a number of players from Arsenal in recent years, with the likes of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Adebayor all following that path, but few would have as much impact as Nasri did at the Etihad.

Therefore, there would definitely be shades of that Nasri deal if City were to poach the talismanic Saka from Arsenal this year.