The 2016/17 English Premier League season is almost over. Chelsea will be crowned champions soon and Yaya Toure could well have the last laugh.
The 34-year-old’s current contract will run out come season’s end but there is a high possibility of Manchester City renewing his contract. Unfortunately, the one person capable of confirming the Ivorian’s future, knows nothing of this ‘new City contract’.
Toure’s agent, Dmitri Seluk instead highlighted possible interests from a long list of clubs but maintained a keen interest in City’s renewal deal.
“We have not heard anything,” Seluk said. “I read a lot of stories about a new City contract but I know nothing about this. The last time I spoke to anyone at City was in Monaco in March.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We have many possibilities. Yaya already has offers from different clubs. They are very interesting offers.[/perfectpullquote]
“There are clubs who have already qualified for next season’s Champions League, but for Yaya, Manchester City is a very special club. He has given his heart to the club and he would find it difficult to leave City.”
For now, all speculation on Toure’s future points towards Paul Hirst who in The Times quoted City sources saying there is a “strong chance” he will be offered a one-year extension.
The Manchester Evening News also suggested an offer is in the pipeline with a likely chance of it being tabled this week, prior to City’s final game of the season against Watford on Sunday.
While it is poised to be quite the turnaround, will Toure accept a new deal?
Counter in the fact that following Guardiola’s arrival, Toure was to some extent a casualty of war that went on between Pep and Seluk earlier in the season. Resulting effect was proof that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. In this case, a fight for authority and respect.
Nevertheless, the Ivorian maintained his stance, apologized on behalf of his agent, and made a surprising return to regular football after Guardiola sentenced him to the pits for his agent’s inappropriate behavior and comments made towards the Catalan manager.
Saturday’s 2-1 win against Leicester City was his 29th appearance of the season ever since he made it back it into Guardiola’s team in November when he scored twice in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Man City is in the race for a Champions League place sitting three points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal with two games apiece remaining despite briefly moving to third place, following the win over Leicester.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”At the moment Yaya is just concentrating on getting City into the Champions League. That is his only focus. At the end of his contract, we will look at the offers he has,”[/perfectpullquote]
Seluk added.
“He wants to play in the Champions League next season but he would also play for an ambitious club who have big plans – a club who have a project.”
An agreed new contract will sign Toure’s career into an eighth year at City having joined from Barcelona for £24m in 2010.
