Yaya Toure saga drags on as he talks up PSG

Yaya Toure has sparked further speculation he could leave Manchester City this summer by saying “it would be an honour” to play for French champions PSG.

The Parc des Princes outfit are 5/1 shots to be Ivory Coast international midfielder Toure’s club at the end of the summer transfer window, but he remains odds-on to stay at the Etihad.

“Given the goals of Paris, how could you not be interested in a club like that?” Toure said. “PSG have become one of the strongest teams in Europe. It would be an honour to one day play for a club like that.

“Given the magnificent season Manchester City have had, everyone talks about me and everything is open. My agent, Dimitri [Seluk], is hanging on the telephone and he knows what he has to do, I have complete confidence in him. Nobody knows what can happen tomorrow, my attention is on the World Cup and we will see afterwards.”

These quotes will be concerning to Manuel Pellegrini, who delivered the Premier League and Capital One Cup double in his first season at City. They are 14/1 shots with Coral to retain both trophies in 2014/15.

Quite how Toure would fit into PSG boss Laurent Blanc’s plans, as the French capital club aims for a third straight Ligue 1 title next term, remains to be seen. The Parisians have been linked with a move for Juventus and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, and have a glut of options in that area already on their books.

Could a swap or part-exchange deal for Blaise Matuidi be in the offing? City were linked with a move for the energetic engine room star before he signed a new deal in Paris. It is certainly something the Etihad hierarchy should consider if Toure is intent on leaving.

He also name-checked former club, Barcelona, who are a 4/1 chance to take Toure back to the Nou Camp before the summer is out. “Yes, I have said I would like to finish my career at Barcelona,” he added. “You never know because football moves quickly, you never know.”

A major overhaul of playing personnel at Barca is expected during the transfer window, under new manager Luis Enrique. Should former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas be sold, then a return for Toure to the Catalan giants cannot be ruled out.