Yaya Toure close to Manchester City switch as agent demands Barcelona talks

03 June 2010 15:18
Yaya Toure's agent is set for showdown talks with Barcelona amid reports that the player has all but agreed a move to Manchester City. [LNB]Chelsea were thought to be the midfielder's preferred destination, but radio reports in Catalonia say the Ivory Coast international will instead team up with his brother Kolo at Eastlands if the clubs can agree a fee. [LNB]City are believed to be prepared to offer a better salary than Chelsea, who are trying to keep wages under control in their bid to become financially self sufficient. [LNB] Family affair: Taya could be playing in the same side as brother Kolo next season[LNB]Arsenal were also interested and would have considered a part-exchange as part of Barcelona's plan to sign Cesc Fabregas, but the Barca outcast is cool on going to the Emirates Stadium. Manchester United have also been linked. [LNB] Pep Guardiola does not want to lose the midfielder, but cannot guarantee him first-team football and will reluctantly sanction his sale for the right price. [LNB]Toure's agent Dimitri Selcuk is due at the Nou Camp for talks with technical secretary Txiki Begiristain before the weekend to thrash out a price which the Spanish champions would find acceptable. [LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini has been keen to sign a holding midfielder since the winter, when bids for Real Madrid's Fernando Gago and Parma's McDonald Mariga failed.  [LNB] Man City boss Mancini keeping constant contact with IbrahimovicJohnson determined to bounce back from England World Cup snubTHE INSIDER: Fernando Torres staying at Liverpool, Manchester United still tracking Michel Bastos as Fulham close in on Frederic PiquionneMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail