Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure could be persuaded to make a big money switch to China after a report in The Telegraph stated that the Ivorian will be offered a staggering £30 million a year contract.
Following the confirmation that Pep Guardiola will become the next City manager in the summer, the departure of the four-time African Footballer of the Year has been hotly tipped.
An overhaul at the Etihad is much anticipated at the end of the season with the 32-year-old not expected to be in Pep’s plans, despite his desire to stay in Manchester according to associates. This wouldn’t be the first time this decision will be taken out of Toure’s hands by Guardiola, who left him to dry at Barcelona just over five years ago.
Toure, though, will not be short of suitors and could, in fact, become the third highest earner in world football if he accepts an offer to become the latest star to move to China. It’s understood that at least three Chinese clubs have already expressed an interest in signing him, with one, thought to be Jiangsu Suning, discussing the prospect of paying the player £30m-a-year after tax.
That would see Toure earn £576,923-a-week in China, which more than doubles his current contract at City. It would be a move made for money purposes only, as the Chinese Super League doesn’t offer anything close to top-level football. However, the Ivorian wouldn’t be the first player to make the switch over to Asia; as money has been thrown at big name players like Ramires and Jackson Martinez.
The future of Toure is certainly one of the more pressing issues Guardiola faces at City, and with clubs like Jiangsu Suning willing to offer a very reasonable sum for Yaya, this could well be his last year in blue.
