Yaya Toure’s future was the subject of much speculation throughout Manchester City’s 2014-15 campaign, however following assurances about his role at the Etihad Stadium, both he and his agent have confirmed that the Ivorian will be with the Citizens next season.
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The Ivorian has been heavily linked with a Roberto Mancini reunion at Inter Milan and looked to be on the brink of signing a three-year contract with the Serie A outfit [via the Daily Mail]. However, Citizens owner Sheikh Mansour looks to have ended talk of a potential transfer.
According to talkSPORT, City’s billionaire owner held a surprise talk with Toure and persuaded the midfield powerhouse to remain in Manchester by insisting that he would remain a key player for the club.
His agent, Dimitri Seluk, revealed, “Yaya is staying – because Sheikh Mansour told him he must stay,” as quoted by talkSPORT.
“Mansour told Yaya that he is still a very important player and that he was the first big player to join City after the takeover,” he added.
“He told him that City wouldn’t even discuss a sale.
“This is good. People have tried to say that Yaya only wanted more money, but it was never about money. It was only about respect.”
The 32-year-old has remained a regular for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this term, making 34 appearances in all competitions – despite having missed almost a month of action on international duty at the African Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year.
His importance to the side was clear, as, during his absence, as his team-mates managed just one victory versus Stoke City [via the Daily Mail].
Nonetheless, considering that his agent said the Ivory Coast international was 90 percent certain to be leaving the Etihad Stadium earlier this month [via Sky Sports], it would not be wise to simply take Seluk’s words as confirmation for a deal.
However, the player too has confirmed his decision to remain at City.
”I will definitely stay. The fans don’t have to be worried,” he began, speaking to the Manchester Evening News.
“My target this year is to try to do everything possible to make this team improve well and I am sure with my experience, maybe I hope, with the players coming in a couple of weeks, a couple of months, definitely it is going to be a strong City next year.”
Premier League fans, however, will be hoping that his comments are true, and we get to see more trademark Toure runs such as this next season: