Club say they’d be happy if player reaches 80% of his Manchester City level

The last few years have not been kind to Samir Nasri, with the days of shining in the Premier League long behind him.

The Frenchman was once a star for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City but has struggled to replicate the talent he showed at both clubs.

His cause was not helped by a drugs ban that saw him miss a year of football last season, while a move amove to West Ham in January started brightly but faded out.

He now finds himself in Belgium, having followed former Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany to the club.

He’s featured regularly for them since but, like their form, his has not been great, with one goal in eight appearances so far.

The club were hoping for more when they signed him this summer and sporting director Michael Verschueren, saying that just 80% of what he showed at the Eithad would be ideal.

“We’ve saw tremendous progress in the second half against Beveren,” he told DH.

“In his first few weeks, he did not show that. He had an interview with Vincent and followed an individual program.

“Parameters have been set, we know that he can not reach 100% his Manchester City level, but 80% would already be enough…”