Kolo Toure had been linked with a switch away from Manchester City, but now says he is staying.
Turkey, France, the Middle East – Three destinations Kolo Toure had been strongly linked with. But it seems Manchester tops the lot.
He told the Sun yesterday: “I did speak to the people there but I’m just focusing on City. I’m a City player, I still enjoy it here, you can see that.
“I love playing at the same club as my brother [Yaya Toure]. But we will see what will happen. I’ve got one year left on my contract and that’s it.
Whether it’s good news for City or not, you tell us, but his decision is important for City.
Why’s that? It’s because City will not have go out and spend money to replace him.
Think about the knock on effect: Toure leaves > City buy a new defender = Less money available to sign a striker
Defenders linked with the club this summer include Daniel Agger and Giorgio Chiellini – Both big money targets who would cost more than £30 million to be prized from their clubs.
Last summer Roberto Mancini bought relatively cheaply with Stefan Savic who failed to settle in his first season so the manager is unlikely to gamble again.
Toure is a solid option, very much third choice behind Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany, but a reliable go-to man for the manager. At 31 he is not ready for the retirement home by any stretch just yet.
Beyond that City’s options extend to Micah Richards who can play at centre-back, and did at home to Chelsea in April, and Savic – Who is bound to improve.
Now if City are dead set on bringing in a new defender, they could do so, and loan out Savic. This would likely push Toure down to fourth choice, and if this was going to happen it is unlikely he would want to stay.
Assuming then City will save a portion of transfer cash on a Toure replacement, this leaves them with more to play with up top.
More money to spend on a bid for Robin van Persie? Money saved on signing Agger which can be spent on bringing in Cavani or Higuain?
The club still need to offload Adebayor and Santa Cruz, and sort out the future of young gun John Guidetti, but the potential repercussions of Toure staying help smooth the path financially.
If he stays, the Ivorian will likely leave next summer instead, and while a replacement will still have to be bought, City are best off delaying it so they can concentrate on untangling their striker situation, and see if Stefan Savic improves before deciding in which direction to go.
He could still leave this summer, rather than closing the door completely, he sounds as though he could still be waiting for the right offer, but City may just want to make the extra effort to keep him on board.
image: © Alfonso Jimenez
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