Bacary Sagna looked relaxed and cheerful as he spent quality time with his wife, Ludivine, and their children on a beach in Rio. The Manchester City signing enjoyed a refreshing break after helping France secure a spot in the World Cup’s last 16 with a draw against Ecuador.

Having recently finalized his move to Manchester City, Sagna addressed speculation about his decision to leave Arsenal. He firmly denied claims that his departure was financially motivated, explaining that his salary at Arsenal had remained the same for six years. This move, he said, was driven by a desire for a fresh challenge and growth in his career.

French fancy: Bacary and Ludivine Sagna enjoy a day out on a beach in Rio de Janeiro during World Cup

Strike a pose: Sagna had his photo taken with fans on a beach in Brazil

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Sky Blue seas: Sagna has agreed to join Manchester City on a free transfer from Arsenal

On the move: Sagna is free to join City when his contract runs out on June 30

Ludivine Sagna enjoyed a day at the beach with one of her sons as Bacary Sagna prepared for the next chapter of his career. With his Arsenal contract set to expire on June 30, Sagna confirmed his move to Manchester City, stating, “I am a City player.”

However, Sagna addressed rumors about his departure from Arsenal, emphasizing that money was not the motivation behind his decision.

“I want to clear everything up because I keep reading that I did it for money and that I’m greedy,” he explained. “What I want to say is I have stayed with Arsenal on the same contract since 2008 and never asked for more money.”

He continued, “For those who think it’s for money, it’s not. I just wanted a change—I needed a boost in my career, and I felt it was about time.

“It wasn’t easy because we were still involved in the FA Cup, and staying focused was tough. But I respected Arsenal and remained committed to my team. It’s also hard to read false stories daily. I told my family to ignore the speculation, and I stayed focused on what mattered.”

Knock-outs: France were knocked out of the World Cup by Germany in the quarter-finals

Tearful exit: Sagna’s last game for Arsenal was in their 3-2 FA Cup final victory against Hull City in May

Bacary Sagna left Arsenal on a high note, with the FA Cup triumph over Hull City marking the only trophy of his seven-year tenure at the club. Reflecting on his decision to join Manchester City, Sagna admitted that the move was driven by his aspirations for Premier League and Champions League success under Manuel Pellegrini.

“This is an exciting time for me and my career,” he said. “I think we have a good team with City, and we can achieve great things.”

Sagna expressed gratitude for his time at Arsenal, acknowledging the club’s role in shaping him both as a player and a person. “Arsenal made me grow up as a player and as a man. We finally won a trophy, but for me, it’s not just about that. Arsenal have quality. It’s just that I personally wanted a boost—I needed to start again.”