BACARY SAGNA: Money Not Behind My Manchester Move

Bacary Sagna has hit back at claims that he only joined Manchester City for the money, insisting he left Arsenal to benefit his career. Sagna, 31, rejected a new contract with the Gunners to join City and signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Premier League champions.

The France international won a trophy in his final game as an Arsenal player, May's FA Cup final against Hull, but it was the only piece of silverware secured during his seven years in London.

City won both the Premier League and the Capital One Cup last season, and the right-back was keen to stress that finances had not been a factor in his move north.


"I'm going to clear everything up because I keep reading [claims] I left for money, I'm greedy, whatever," he told reporters after playing in France's 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Wednesday.

"All I want to say is I stayed at Arsenal with the same contract since 2008. I never asked for [more] money, so people who think that it's for money, it's not.

"I just wanted to change and boost my career, and I think it was about time."

Sagna, who made 284 appearances for Arsenal, will compete with Pablo Zabaleta for the right-back position in Manuel Pellegrini's team.

The Frenchman became City's first summer signing, and they then brought in midfielder Fernando from Porto for 15 million euros.