Man City hold talks over Clichy

Clichy has been a regular in the Arsenal defence in recent seasons

Manchester City are in discussions with Arsenal over the possible signing of French international defender Gael Clichy, BBC Sport has learned.

The 25-year-old full-back, who joined the Gunners from French club Cannes in 2003, is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season.

Clichy reportedly told Arsenal he wanted to leave last month, and had been linked with Liverpool and Roma.

But City have emerged as rivals for his signature and could table a £7m bid.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger faces an anxious time with playmaker Cesc Fabregas again being linked with Barcelona.

Midfielder Sami Nasri has also been tipped to leave the club, and is thought to be a target for both City and Manchester United.

The Gunners, who return for pre-season training next week ahead of a tour of Malaysia and China, have been strongly linked with a move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill.

But Wenger recently claimed that it will be late into pre-season before there is significant movement in the transfer market.

“We are in a waiting period, everybody is waiting,” said the Arsenal boss in an interview with Alsace TV.

“Everybody has their cards in their hands, hoping for the big transfer. There is nothing moving yet. The period will me more active at the end of July when we will need to really strengthen the team.”