Arsenal aim to hang onto Nasri by signing his pal

Arsene Wenger is hoping Ivory Coast striker Gervinho can persuade Samir Nasri to stay at Arsenal.

The Gunners boss is facing a battle to prevent Nasri following Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas out of the ­Emirates' exit door.

The France midfielder, 24, who has one year left on his contract, is a target for Manchester United, and Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to land him for around £12million.

But Arsenal have offered him a new, £90,000-a-week, five-year contract that would - after Fabregas’ move, which is likely to be completed this week - make him the highest-paid player at the club.

Arsenal don’t want to sell Nasri to one of their biggest title rivals but also don’t want him to run down his contract and lose him for nothing 12 months from now, so his new deal will include lucrative image rights and bonuses.

Wenger is also close to completing a £12million deal for Lille’s Ivory Coast striker Gervinho. That signing could help with Nasri, who has made it clear the Gunners must prove their ambition to convince him to stay.

Gervinho, who established himself as a major star at Lille last season, is rated highly by Nasri and the pair are pals.

It’s believed Gervinho – who is understood to have had a medical – received a glowing report on Arsenal from Nasri, which is also an encouraging sign.

Arsenal also plan to make another major statement of intent by pushing forward in a move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill.

The England centre-half is next on their hit-list and, if they can sell flop French defender Sebastien Squillaci, they will also pursue Blackburn's Chris Samba to replace him.

Arsenal are ready to throw Henri Lansbury and Ignasi Miquel into the deal for Cahill, with the Spanish defender set for a season-long loan.

That will be a major boost for the Gunners, who are set to lose Fabregas after Barca made a new offer for the Spain midfielder - as revealed in yesterday’s Mirror.

Fabregas has been offered a five-year contract worth £100,000-a-week at the Nou Camp in a deal laden with bonus clauses related to success.

Barca’s new offer is around £34, but Arsenal are still demanding closer to £40m. The clubs were locked in further talks last night.

Arsenal are resigned to losing their skipper but chief executive Ivan Gazidis is determined not to lose him on the cheap and will hold out for the higher fee.

Valencia’s Juan Mata could replace the Spaniard in Wenger's squad, but Spurs are also keen on the attacking midfielder.

Another part of Wenger’s masterplan could be to play Thomas Vermaelen at left-back to strengthen his defence, as Gael Clichy is set to leave for Liverpool.

Wenger hopes to have Cahill and Gervinho signed by the start of pre-season and that will help in the battle to keep Nasri.

Top 10 things you need to know about Gervinho plus video of him in action