Agent: Gunners keen on Toure swoop

08 June 2010 07:22
Yaya Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk claims the midfielder could form part of the deal to bring Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas back to Barcelona.[LNB] Toure has long been linked with a move to England with Manchester City, captained by older brother Kolo, thought to be leading the race for his signature.[LNB]City's cross-town rivals Manchester United are also reportedly interested, while Kolo's former club Arsenal have been monitoring him for several years.[LNB]Last week Arsenal rejected a £29million (35million euros) offer from Barcelona for Fabregas as they look to keep hold of the Spain international but if Toure is thrown into the mix as part of an improved bid, the Gunners could reconsider.[LNB]Seluk has previously revealed that a move to the Premier League was all but a done deal and hinted Toure was set for a move to Eastlands, something he now feels is not the case.[LNB]"There's a lot of interest in the deal (for Toure)," Seluk told Rac-1. "Arsene Wenger likes him and Arsenal are interested.[LNB]"If the conditions are good, everything can be finished soon.[LNB]"He could come into the Cesc deal and Barca and Arsenal are struggling to come to an agreement.[LNB]"Everything has changed with City, because they talk a lot but then afterwards they don't appear to be a rich club but rather a bankrupt one."[LNB]Barca confirmed they had slapped a 35million euro price-tag on Toure, something which Seluk last week insisted was too high.[LNB]Toure was a key member of the Barca side that lifted six trophies in 2009 and he extended his stay at the Nou Camp only last summer, but he appeared to fall out of favour in the latter part of the season.[LNB]Barca president Joan Laporta is resigned to letting Toure go, and feels Arsenal must be prepared to do the same with Fabregas.[LNB]He said: "If a player of this characteristics, who also has the privilege of being Arsenal captain, announces to the club that he understands his time there has come to an end and he wants to continue his career at a club like Barca...[LNB]"I always want players in my club who want to be there and they should have that commitment.[LNB]"If a player shows legitimately that he does not want to be at Barca, immediately I open the doors and defend the interests of the club, but I try to reconcile them with those of the player and the buying club."

Source: Team_Talk