Arsenal are set to hijack Liverpool’s move for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsene Wenger sees Downing as a direct replacement for Samir Nasri , who will seal a £25m move to Manchester City when he returns from the Gunners pre-season tour of Asia.
Despite Wenger’s reluctance to sell Nasri, the Mail claims sources are confident a deal will be struck soon leaving Arsenal requiring a ready-made replacement for the Frenchman.
Downing has been identified as that man and its thought the lure of Champions League football that Arsenal can offer, will leave them in pole position to sign the £20m rated winger ahead of Liverpool.
