Toure wants to ‘stay for life’ at City

Yaya Toure wants to “stay for life” at Manchester City, according to his agent.

Dimitry Seluk had said in May last year that Toure was considering leaving City after the club failed to wish him a happy birthday, and the midfielder then said on Twitter: “Everything Dimitry said is true.”

Toure also raised doubts over his long-term future in an interview with CNN last month, and The Sun on Sunday has claimed City are considering cashing in on the 31-year-old Ivory Coast international this summer as they target Juventus star Paul Pogba.

Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony were both in action for City in the 5-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday after their African Nations Cup success with Ivory Coast © Getty Images

However, Seluk says Toure wants a new contract at the Etihad Stadium and could even seek another role at the club once he calls time on his playing career.

“Yaya loves Manchester City and, despite what is sometimes said, he is happy at the club,” Seluk told the Sunday Mirror. “In fact, he would like to stay for life. He would love nothing better than to finish his playing career with City and then work for the club after that.

“That’s why I want City to give Yaya a new contract, to show him that they want him to be part of the future. It is not about money. It is about keeping Yaya at the club until his playing days are over and showing the club’s best player that he is respected and loved.

“When he stops playing, then Yaya could have an executive role, perhaps as sporting director. Think about it. He has played in Belgium, Ukraine, Greece, France, Spain and England.

“He has won championships with Olympiakos, Barcelona and Manchester City. He has won the Champions League and the African Cup of Nations.

“He knows world football. The only market that City want to buy players from at the moment is Spain.”

Sergio Aguero struck for a goal in each half to help Manchester City down Stoke 4-1.

Seluk also says City had a “foolish” plan to try to turn the club into the new Barcelona, having brought in sporting director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano from the Nou Camp.

However, he feels Toure can help the club forge their own path.

“City can become a great club in the future if they forget about this crazy plan about becoming the next Barcelona,” he added.

“City have two Spanish executives. They came from Barca and now they are obsessed with turning City into the club they left. That is not only impossible, it is foolish. There can only ever be one Barcelona.

“City should be looking to establish their own identity, not dream about becoming Barca Mark II, and, in my opinion, I think someone with Yaya’s experience can do that.”

Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who signed Toure while in charge at City, has repeatedly spoken of his desire to take the player to the San Siro.

However, City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “Every manager would want Yaya but I don’t have anything to say about that. He’s very happy here.”

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Feeds: ESPN staff

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.