YAYA TOURE believes Lionel Messi’s transfer to Manchester City is possible – but sensationally claims most clubs wouldn’t want him.
The Ivorian said “few managers would love him” because he does not track back, which would pose a problem in the Premier League.
Yaya Toure thinks Lionel Messi’s transfer to Manchester City could happen but he would need to be willing to put in the yards defensivelyCredit: AP:Associated Press
Messi continues to be linked with a stunning move away from Barcelona as a result of the chaos both on and off the pitch at the Nou Camp.
He held crisis talks with new manager Ronald Koeman on Thursday, cutting his holiday short for the personal chat.
And according to RAC1 he dropped the bombshell that he sees his future away from Barcelona, the club he joined aged 13 and for whom he has scored 634 goals.
That has led to suggestions of a reunion with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
And speaking to Hotels.com Dream Screen about his former team-mate’s future, City legend Toure said: “It is going to be complicated.
“From what I know, Messi loves Barcelona. He loves the city, he loves the club, he loves the philosophy there.
“But if he had to leave the club, maybe he could come to City. Why? Because City have the money to buy him and there are only a few clubs in the Premier League who can afford him, to be honest.
“If he comes to City he is going to be good for City because the rest of the Premier League is quite intense and hard as well.”
Toure played 316 times for Manchester City, winning six major trophies including three Premier League titles in his eight seasons.
He knows exactly what it takes to be a success in England and is worried Messi’s lack of willingness to defend could be a sticking point.
The 101-cap international added: “The way Messi plays – few managers are going to love him because he just sits off to the side and does not want to defend much.
“In England – depending on who is going to criticise him for that – they want you to work, defend and attack and it is not easy.
“But if he came to England, I could see him playing for City because Guardiola knows him better and he could put him in this City team too to play his football.
“I have a little bit of doubt that he is going to leave Barcelona, to be honest. Barcelona all boils down to Messi. If Messi leaves there is going to be a massive gap.”
As well as City, Inter Milan are very keen on landing Messi and will turn their attention to trying to land him after the Europa League final.
The Argentine icon’s dad, Jorge, has even splashed out on a luxury pad in an exclusive region in Milan, further suggesting a move for his son could be imminent.
And their former president Massimo Moratti reckons Suning Holdings, Inter’s current owners, have “everything it takes” in their power to prise Messi away from the Nou Camp.
Messi and Toure were team-mates at the Nou Camp for three years between 2007 and 2010Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
