City close on Toure deal

28 July 2009 13:22
Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City are close to agreeing a £16million deal with Arsenal for Kolo Toure. The central defender is to return from the club's pre-season training camp in Austria to undergo talks with City officials and manager Mark Hughes. City reportedly failed in a bid to sign the Ivory Coast international in January but appear to be close to landing their man this time around. When quizzed on Toure's future on Monday, Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger said: "We'll see what's happening in the next 24 hours." City boss Hughes is eager to add defensive reinforcements to his ranks having already pepped up his attack this summer, via the high profile additions of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz. Bids for Chelsea captain John Terry and Everton stopper Joleon Lescott have failed to bear fruit, with Toure seen as a viable alternative.

Source: SKY_Sports