I want to be at Manchester City for a long time, says Yaya Toure

I want to be at Manchester City for a long time, says Yaya Toure

 

The midfielder was linked with a move to Inter earlier this summer but insists he is happy at the Etihad Stadium and wants to replicate Paolo Mandini for longevity

Yaya Toure insists he is happy at Manchester City and wants to stay at the club for a long time.

Toure, who has won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2010, was heavily linked with a move to Internazionale - currently managed by former City boss Roberto Mancini - last month.

The 32-year-old now seems certain to remain with Manuel Pellegrini's side, though, and is targeting becoming a legendary figure at the club like Paolo Mandini is at AC Milan.

“That’s the dream for all the players,” Toure told the Manchester Evening News. “I was trying to convince some players to continue at the club and they said ‘why?’

“Because it was the case of Maldini, it was the case of [Franco Baresi], of [Alessandro] Del Piero - so many important players. [Francesco] Totti as well.

“They are staying long at the club.”

Toure held talks about his future with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in May, with Inter reportedly keen to bring him to San Siro.

The Ivory Coast international ultimately opted to stay put and admitted the City supporters played a big part in that decision.

"It is very, very important as a person and as a football player as well when you see people are following you,” he said. “It is difficult sometimes to disappoint them.

“The fans are doing brilliant for this club. When people show you loyalty, nothing is going by. That’s why I want to stay at City. I want to stay long.”