The midfielder has secured a move to the La Liga side on loan, although the club’s hierarchy have accused Man City of last-minute dilly-dallying.
Nasri has followed in the footsteps of former teammate Eliaquim Mangala who has joined Valencia, another La Liga side, till the end of the season.
According to reports published in several news outlets, including the BBC, City manager Pep Guardiola had banished the Frenchman from training with the first team after he had returned to preseason overweight.
Spanish side Sevilla have had their eyes on Nasri for some time now, and had reportedly expressed interest last year with the former Arsenal man struggling for game time under Manuel Pellegrini.
The serial Europa League champions were never going to have their way that easily, though.
The midfielder shone for Man City after being introduced as a sub during their win over West Ham last weekend, prompting Guardiola to issue a please-stay motion.
“Nasri can stay,” Guardiola told reporters.
“Samir arrived overweight but after seven days, 10 days, it was fantastic how he trained. His quality is on another level.
“It depends on him. If he wants to help us and stay to be part of something, it depends on him.”
On deadline day, George Sampaoli finally got his man but the Spanish side are clearly irked by the Citizens indecision.
“If we are able to close the deal we will have signed a player that we have been chasing all summer,” sporting director Monchi told reporters early on Wednesday.
“He’s a creative midfielder who can play as a winger or inside. He knows how to keep possession and, as well as the rest of our midfielders, can switch positions.
“We’ve been talking for two weeks and at the last minute City wanted him to stay, that delayed the operation. He’s already passed the medical and I just need to see the documents.”
Ultimately, the Spanish side can now rejoice for having landed a high quality player who is motivated to jump-start his career.
Sofascore.com
