Manchester City are ready to sell Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, according to the Express.
It’s been reported that the Citizens are prepared to offload the power-house, who has endured a tricky start to the season. Toure has failed to hit top form, while he was sent-off on Wednesday night as Manuel Pellegrini’s side were humiliated in the Champions League at the hands of CSKA Moscow.
Toure’s ill-discipline played a role in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, leaving them with an outside chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 in the competition.
It appears, then, that a number of City’s Premier League rivals will be interested in taking him off their hands. In fact, the same report has revealed that as many as four English clubs could make a move for the midfield superstar, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all seemingly interested in the player’s services.
It’s not yet known, however, as to whether City would be prepared to sell to an English rival, with European duo Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona set to be told about the player’s availability.
Toure, who currently earns as much as £210,000-a-week at the Etihad, is entering his latter years in the world of football, but still has more than enough to offer the Premier League’s elite clubs.
If Manchester City decide to cash in on Toure to a rival, then he would certainly prove quite the coup. Manchester United are in desperate need of a player in the mould of Toure, whilst north London outfit Arsenal are in a similar situation.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal have struggled in the middle of the park in recent time, and could look to add to their squads in the January or summer transfer window.
Liverpool, on the other hand, may well be on the lookout for a long-term replacement for captain Steven Gerrard, but perhaps Toure would be interested in joining his brother at Anfield.
Chelsea already have an array of talent in the middle of the park, and would only become even more formidable if they secured the signing of the Manchester City man.