Pep Guardiola admitted that Samir Nasri is still likely to leave Manchester City during the transfer window, despite the Frenchman continuing his impressive preseason form during Saturday's 3-0 victory against Tottenham in Nashville.
Nasri, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla, has made an impact during City's International Champions Cup clashes against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Spurs this month.
But while Guardiola insisted he admires the former Arsenal midfielder's talent, the City manager did little to offer encouragement that he will remain at the club beyond the Aug. 31 transfer deadline.
"He knows the situation," Guardiola said. "We have a lot of midfield players, so we're going to see.
"It is like [Eliaquim] Mangala. That's a decision they have to take with their managers [representatives], but we take care of them when they are here, just like we take care of every player, from Brahim Diaz to Vincent Kompany.
"The past isn't important, it is all about tomorrow.
"We wanted to keep him [Nasri] last preseason but he decided to go to Sevilla and I like to work with the guys who want to work with us.
"But I saw him in these three games and his spirit in the training sessions. Still I'm waiting for a bad performance from him.
"He's a guy who has unbelievable ability to keep the ball in small spaces. The ball is safe. He has his own special quality."
One City player close to the exit door is Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho, with Guardiola admitting that £25m move to Leicester City is close to completion.
"I think Kelechi is going to leave, for Leicester," Guardiola said. "I think so, but I don't want to say something wrong.
"We will see. If it doesn't happen, he will be part of the group."