• Premier League

Yaya Toure sale at a 'very advanced' stage

ESPN Soccernet staff
June 16, 2010
Yaya Toure was an important factor in Ivory Coast's draw with Portugal © Getty Images
Enlarge

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure appears to be edging closer to joining Manchester City after stressing his desire to move to the Premier League.

Toure, 27, has been strongly linked with both City and Chelsea after struggling for first-team football at Camp Nou last season, and the Daily Mail claims City have offered £25 million.

"I want to go to play in the Premier League because the Premier League is a very nice competition and I love that," Toure said in the Daily Mirror. "Every time when I hear a Premier League game is on I go home to watch it.

"After the World Cup, I will decide what I will do but, for now, I want to focus on the World Cup and the Ivory Coast."

Outgoing Barca president Joan Laporta says the deal is close to completion and he will talk to his replacement, Sandro Rosell, about the state of that deal, and the move for Cesc Fabregas, before he leaves his post on July 1.

"I'll talk to him, president to president, to update him on some issues, as in the case of transfers and signings," he said. "Selling Toure is very advanced and I will also inform him of how the negotiations are for Cesc Fabregas."

Fabregas, meanwhile, said he is fully focused on Spain rather than his Arsenal future. "I don't have much time to think about that, to be honest," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices