• Premier League

Kolo Toure told he can leave by Mancini

ESPN staff
July 22, 2012
Kolo Toure made eight Premier League starts in 2011-12 © PA Photos
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says Kolo Toure is free to join Bursaspor but has questioned whether the Turkish club can afford to sign him.

Toure, 31, found himself behind Joleon Lescott and Vincent Komapny in City's defensive pecking order last season, and also faced competition from Micah Richards and Serbian youngster Stefan Savic.

Mancini has yet to bolster his defensive options this summer but is nonetheless prepared to let the former Arsenal centre-back leave Eastlands in search of first-team football.

Bursaspor appear in pole position to land Toure at present, but Mancini says the ball is now in the player's court , while he is unsure whether the 2009-10 Turkish Super Lig winners can meet the player's wage demands.

"It is up to Kolo to decide if he wants to go to Bursaspor or not," Mancini said. "However, can they meet his demands?"

Toure, who made eight Premier League starts in 2011-12 having missed much of the first half of the campaign through a six-month ban for failing a drugs test, is also thought to be a target for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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