Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has moved to defuse his feud with Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger over his public pursuit of Gunners star Samir Nasri.

Mancini enraged Wenger on Saturday when he admitted in a television interview that he hoped to sign France midfielder Nasri “by the end of the month”.

Wenger accused Mancini of lacking respect and breaking the “basic rules of football” by being so blatant in his desire to tempt Nasri to Eastlands.

But Mancini was surprised by Wenger’s outburst. “I said that Nasri, Aguero are two good players and I said also that Nasri is under contract,” Mancini said.

“I don’t know why he’s upset. Because the question was about some good players, I say it like this. I said also that Nasri is under contract with Arsenal and it’s difficult. Only this.”