Kolo Toure refuses to rule out Manchester City stay

1 Aug 2012 10:22:00

The former Arsenal centre-back has revealed that he could still remain at the Etihad Stadium next term, despite confirming concrete interest from several other clubs

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has admitted that his future is still uncertain ahead of the upcoming season and has not ruled out staying with the Premier League champions.

After attracting interest from both Europe and the Middle East, it had been expected that the Ivorian would leave the Etihad and seek pastures new ahead of the 2012-13 season.

City boss Roberto Mancini is willing to listen to offers after making a new central defender one of his top summer targets - Liverpool's Daniel Agger has been linked with a move to the club - although Toure feels there is no rush in deciding his future.

The 31-year-old told The Sun: “I did speak to the people there but I’m just focusing on City. I’m a City player, I still enjoy it here, you can see that.

“I love playing at the same club as my brother [Yaya Toure]. But we will see what will happen. I’ve got one year left on my contract and that’s it.

“I am still at City but you never know the future. For me the most important thing is every day I’m at City I’ll give 100 per cent.”

Although never first choice in Manchester, Toure believes that his experience holds him in good stead for his side's title defence next season.

He continued: “I won the title with Arsenal in 2004 and it is harder to defend it the following season.

“Every game will be like a cup final because every team will give 100 per cent to beat City because we are the champions.

“We know that though. It’s been a good pre-season - now we need to confirm we are a good team - but there will be no easy way to do it. It is all about working hard, focusing and doing our job.”

Both the Toure brothers, regardless of their domestic location, will be expected to join up with the Ivory Coast in January ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which will provide Mancini with more selection dilemmas as he looks to retain the Premier League title.

The centre-back added: “The African Nations Cup is being held again next January and it is going to be really exciting for my country.

“We have never won it and we were so disappointed to lose in the final in February.

“I will keep playing for the national team until I feel I can’t offer them anything.”