- Yaya Toure has confirmed a move to China was rejected in the summer
- The Ivorian says he wants to continue plaing top level football in England
Yaya Toure has revealed why he rejected a N197m weekly offer from Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning in the summer.
According
to the Ivorian, he passed up the opportunity to make more money because
he is a player with a big mentality who wants to continue playing at
the highest level.
Yaya Toure is one of the world's most popular players
Reports
claim Toure refused to move to China despite being offered £520,000
per-week which roughly translates to N197m at a bank conversation rate
of one British pounds to 380 naira.
Toure, 33, says he wants to stay at the Etihad and
believes he can copy Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and
play at the top level deep into his thirties.
Here is what Toure, who has started last eight matches had to say: "Look
at my friend Ibrahimovic, he's 35 and he's going to play for maybe ...
three more years? He's got the same mentality as me, he's a big player, a
champion who loves football," Toure told reporters.
Ibrahimovic has been in great form this season
"It's
football first. Anything after that is a bonus, you can be lucky to go
and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go
to China -- I don't think like that."
Asked if he would love to remain with City, he said: "Yes,
definitely. I've said before that I've been involved with a lot of
clubs. But especially at City, I want to give something back to the
fans.
"I'd like to continue to work hard for them, keep giving them entertainment, keep them happy -- that's what I want.
"In
the end, I know myself. If I was tired, I'd say 'no more, move on.' But
I don't feel like that, I feel very, very good. I feel young."
Toure has regained his place with Man City under Pep Guardiola
Toure
is already among Europe's highest paid players. And he insists the
decision over his next contract will be based on football rather than
money.
And he says he has plenty to offer
title-challenging clubs across Europe, which is why he would rule out
any move to China if an offer came.
"I'm
still looking young, right? I want to play in Europe, especially in
England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet," he added.
"That's my idea. I always say that if I
went to China I would end up feeling angry there. Do you play football
because you love football or do you play because you want to make money?
What's the purpose?
"Me, I just want to
play football because I enjoy it, I love playing. I enjoy helping my
teammates, I enjoy playing against the big players and teams.
"I
want to carry on in that way. Some people have the mentality that they
want to do that -- to try something different. But for me, my feeling is
that I want to play more football."
Toure started in City's last match; a 2 - 2 draw with Tottenham at the Etihad;