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Manchester City's Yaya Toure reveals he snubbed offer from Manchester United
Midfielder wants silverware during his first season at Eastlands...
24 Jul 2010 12:26:00
By Chris Davie
Manchester City’s summer signing Yaya Toure revealed he had previously turned down an offer to play for their bitter rivals Manchester United.
The Ivory Coast international is one of three high-profile players to join Roberto Mancini's squad over the closed season, with his transfer from Barcelona reportedly costing £24 million and commanding weekly wages of around £200,000.
Speaking on his decision to leave the Nou Camp, Toure admitted the Citizens were not the only offer he received, but that his motivation for moving to pastures new was based purely on football-related issues rather than money.
Toure’s aim is to guide his new employers to Champions League football next season, as well as establishing them as serious Premier League title contenders.
"Last year Manchester United were interested in signing me,'' Toure revealed to The Guardian.
"When I was talking about renewing my contract, United asked if I wanted to sign for them. In football, you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow.
"United are a big club, one of the biggest in the world, but I chose [Manchester] City because they have not won anything for a long time.
“It's a very nice feeling to come in and see everything changing. It's an interesting challenge for me and I hope everything goes well. I saw a lot of things written about why I left but, for me, I wanted to play with my brother.
"That was very important for me. Now I've signed for City I'm very happy. Now my brother and I want to make great things happen at this club and I'm sure we'll do it.
“My motivation is to do great things with City, to finish second or third maybe, to get into the Champions League.''
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The Ivory Coast international is one of three high-profile players to join Roberto Mancini's squad over the closed season, with his transfer from Barcelona reportedly costing £24 million and commanding weekly wages of around £200,000.
Speaking on his decision to leave the Nou Camp, Toure admitted the Citizens were not the only offer he received, but that his motivation for moving to pastures new was based purely on football-related issues rather than money.
Toure’s aim is to guide his new employers to Champions League football next season, as well as establishing them as serious Premier League title contenders.
"Last year Manchester United were interested in signing me,'' Toure revealed to The Guardian.
"When I was talking about renewing my contract, United asked if I wanted to sign for them. In football, you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow.
"United are a big club, one of the biggest in the world, but I chose [Manchester] City because they have not won anything for a long time.
“It's a very nice feeling to come in and see everything changing. It's an interesting challenge for me and I hope everything goes well. I saw a lot of things written about why I left but, for me, I wanted to play with my brother.
"That was very important for me. Now I've signed for City I'm very happy. Now my brother and I want to make great things happen at this club and I'm sure we'll do it.
“My motivation is to do great things with City, to finish second or third maybe, to get into the Champions League.''
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provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
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|
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