The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season and is therefore free to discuss a summer move
Yaya Toure says he will not exercise his right to speak to new clubs as he enters what could be potentially his last six months as a Manchester City player.
Toure’s contract expires at the end of the season and, as such, has been free to talk to other clubs about a free transfer since January 1.
The Ivorian has already suggested he would like to extend his stay at the club having worked his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans, and now says he has no interest in thinking beyond the end of the current campaign.
Arsenal fight back to earn draw at Bournemouth to keep title hopes hanging by a thread
“No, I won’t do that,” he told reporters when asked about speaking to suitors. “My focus is on City. For now, the future is there [on hold] because for now the league is not finished. Me and the guys are always focused. That’s the main point. I’m a footballer, I belong to the field. After that is difficult.”
It had appeared as though Toure had been set to watch his final season at the Etihad Stadium from afar after being outcast by Guardiola at the start of the season.
The City boss had demanded an apology from Toure’s controversial agent, Dimitri Seluk, for various inflammatory comments he had made to the media in recent months, but recalled Toure, who apologised himself, for the away game at Crystal Palace in November.
Man City could sign midfielder in January window
Toure was the star of the show that day, scoring twice in a 2-1 win, and has been one of City’s best performers since working his way back into the side.
But he admits that the club are not living up to expectations at the moment, having lost three times in December to fall seven points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
“At the moment, we are not [at our best],” he added. “We have to be able to deliver. City have always been a team who fights to the end to win a trophy and at the moment we are not happy with our position in the league.
“But we have to fight. We are starting the second half of the season now and I think we will have to be almost perfect [to win the title]. We’ll have to win all the games when we play the top four. The lads, the fans, the manager we are all understanding that. This year we will try to do our best to get there.”