Yaya Toure, really? Reports suggest Newcastle United are interested in the Manchester City legend but at what cost?
On his day, Yaya Toure is one of the most influential midfielders to have ever graced the Premier League. Unfortunately, however, those days appear to be consigned to history.
Which makes reports in The Sun that Newcastle United are interested in signing him this summer all the more baffling.
And this is without mentioning the fact that owner Mike Ashley is renowned for presiding over a transfer policy based on signing young, affordable players with a substantial re-sale value. Toure, aged 33 and collecting £250,000 a week at the Etihad, is pretty much the complete opposite of the typical Newcastle signing.
Furthermore, it’s fair to say that this has been by far his least effective season in English football. After a delayed start to the campaign thanks to Pep Guardiola’s high profile falling out with his outspoken agent, Dimitri Seluk, Toure has started just 19 Premier League games this season, scoring four goals.
And his influence on City’s game has never been so restricted. The two-time Premier League champion now appears unable, or perhaps even unwilling, to break sweat. And you can forget about asking him to track midfield runners.
It’s fair to say Toure is no longer the barnstorming, unstoppable force powering through opponents with the power of a bull and the grace of a gazelle.
Therefore, would Newcastle really considering stumping up a huge weekly wage to bring him to St James’ Park?
@ChronicleNUFC Isn’t he on 800k a week or summin
— ⚫️⚪️ GEORDIE ⚫️⚪️ (@MarcTaylor7) May 9, 2017
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