Agent: Toure set for move

(GSM) – Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure looks set to leave the club, according to the player’s agent.

The 27-year-old is reportedly close to signing for Premier League outfit Manchester City, which would see him link up with his brother Kolo.

The Cote d’Ivoire international moved to Barca from Monaco in 2007 for €9million, and has won the Spanish league, Spanish Cup and UEFA Champions League during his time with the club, as well as the European Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.

And his agent Dimitri Seluk claims that a Camp Nou exit could be closer, while confirming that he would nevertheless seek talks with new Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

“I think we will probably close his departure very soon. It is likely to be this week, but at the moment we can’t announce anything,” Seluk told Com Radio.

“I haven’t spoken to Rosell, but out of respect of course I will speak to him before anything is closed.

“[Joan] Laporta is the president until June 30, but I have to speak to Rosell and know his opinion because he is the new president.”

Toure is regarded highly in Catalunya but the reason for his desire to leave is thought to stem from a lack of playing time.

However, Barcelona, who clinched another Primera Division title last season, are far from forcing him out of the Camp Nou.

“Laporta, Rosell, (Pep) Guardiola, myself, Toure … we all want him to stay at Barcelona – it’s one of the greatest clubs in the world,” Seluk added.

“Everything is perfect except for one thing: playing 65 per cent of the minutes is not sufficient for a player like Yaya, but that’s the only reason we want to go.”