MANCHESTER. — Pep Guardiola has insisted that Yaya Toure will stay at Manchester City and claimed the midfielder will not be sacrificed in his clear-out.
The Spaniard is trying to offload Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
But he is adamant that Toure, whom he sold in 2010 when he was Barcelona manager, wants to remain at City and said the veteran has shown a “perfect” attitude during his time in charge. “I spoke with him,” he said. “He said he wants to stay. If he wants to stay, I am happy he stays.
“Everybody needs to play. I know his quality. In the last 20 minutes against Steaua Bucharest he played as a striker and played amazing. His behaviour from the beginning was perfect.”
Toure was not even on the bench for Guardiola’s first three games in charge, prompting suggestions he would axe one of the greatest players in City’s history. — The Daily Express.