YAYA TOURE will tell incoming manager Pep Guardiola that he wants to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place.
It had been widely expected that last season would be Toure’s final year at the Etihad – particularly as it was Guardiola who sold him when the pair were previously together at Barcelona.
But Manchester Evening News reports: “The Ivorian international is so determined to be part of Guardiola’s Etihad revolution that he is willing to reject the chance to become the highest paid player in the world with a move to China.
“Toure has rejected two offers from the Far East to join the Chinese Super League this summer.”
Inter Milan have also been closely monitoring the situation having had a long-standing interest in the powerful midfielder, but the 33-year-old is set to leave the Italian club disappointed too.
Guardiola has already made it clear he intends to overhaul the City squad that only just held off neighbours United in the race for the final Champions League spot next season and, despite being a key figure in their success in recent years, there’s no guarantee Toure would get much playing time under the new manager.
That said, Manchester Evening News added that, although Guardiola dispensed with Toure’s services in 2010, there was – and apparently still is – no ill-feeling between the pair.
But would Toure – who still has one year left on his current contract at City – still be of value to the club?
He may be in the twilight of his career but he showed on several occasions last season that he is still a threat going forward – even if he was often found wanting when it came to defensive duties – and we think he’d certainly have something to offer as a squad player.
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