Manchester City icon would join Manchester United, says agent

The agent of Yaya Toure has revealed he is in talks with other clubs about his future as a summer exit from Manchester City edges closer.

Toure is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and Pep Guardiola has given no assurances the midfielder will be handed a new deal despite some impressive displays since working his way back into contention under the City manager.

The 33-year-old has established himself as a legendary midfielder in the Premier League era and has played a huge role in shaping City’s status as one of the premier clubs in England’s top tier but sentiment will play no part in Guardiola’s decision.

City’s manager has always had a turbulent relationship with Toure’s agent and now Dimitri Seluk has revealed talks with other clubs are underway, before sensationally refusing to rule out a cross-town switch to Manchester United.

“From yesterday we officially started negotiating with different clubs about his future,” Seluk told Sky Sports, via The Daily Mail. “We waited until March 15 for what Manchester City will say but until now Manchester City don’t saying anything. Before March, we didn’t negotiate with anybody because Yaya does a lot with Manchester City, so we waited.

“But we cannot wait until the last minute, until June, and have no negotiations with anybody. Some clubs have contacted me. Now we have three options. I don’t speak with Yaya about China or the MLS. He will play in Europe. I have spoken with clubs in different countries - Italy and Spain.

“I said to Manchester City that we will start negotiations with other clubs about the future of Yaya. After that, if Manchester City want, they can start negotiations. If they don’t want then we will find another club.

“Yaya can, tomorrow, sign a contract with another club and after that for Manchester City is too late. Why not? [join United]. Jose Mourinho is a very good coach. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was together with Yaya in Barcelona.

“I understand this is two clubs who are rivals but for me, for example, this is not a problem for Yaya or from me. This problem will be from Manchester City staff.”

Toure was dropped to the bench for City’s 3-1 defeat in Monaco as Guardiola exited at the last 16 stage of the Champions League for the first time in his managerial career. The former Ivory Coast international has started 14 games in the Premier League this season and has scored four goals.

He has failed to register an assist thus far, which if that was to continue to be the case until the end of the season, would mean he has not set-up a goal in a league campaign for the first time in the last eight years.

For more stats on Yaya Toure, click here to visit his WhoScored player page