Yaya Toure’s time at Manchester City could be coming to a close, as the player has voiced his desire to play where he is “offered new challenges.”
The Ivorian midfielder has been at the Etihad since 2010, but rumors of his departure have been swirling throughout the season.
After scoring 24 goals last season and being named Manchester City’s Player of the Year, Toure’s play has come under fire this year as his production has dropped amidst City’s struggles.
The 31-year-old has already played in Belgium, Ukraine, Greece, France, Spain and England, and has said he will make a decision on his future based on the challenge, not the money.
Speaking to FootMercato:No amount of wages will make me stay at a club if I feel that I no longer belong there or if no challenge exists for me. It would be unjust on my part.
There comes a moment where numbers don’t stop us, it goes beyond that, even if the English press seem more interested in the numbers than the sport itself. For the future, I don’t know more than you do because I will always go where I am offered new challenges. That is in my nature.”
Toure has been linked with a move to Inter Milan where he would rejoin manager Roberto Mancini, who led Toure and City to the Premier League title in 2012. He spoke about his relationship with Mancini, whom he called a “mentor,” and said “it is no secret that I loved the time when he was boss here.”
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He also talked about Paris Saint-Germain, calling the French side “a big club where any great player can find a place for themselves and make a contribution.” PSG also has a Qatari ownership group with big pockets willing to pay up for Toure’s services, which go for about $300,000 a week at Manchester City.
Once City’s most reliable player, Toure has looked out of sorts this season, almost like his mind is already thinking ahead to next season. The big question is, what jersey will Toure be wearing when next season starts?