re: 2014/2015 Winter Transfer Thread

From the Guardian



Yaya Touré is considering leaving Manchester City this summer because he feels disrespected by the club, according to his agent, Dimitry Seluk.

Seluk's complaints include the fact, he says, that no one from City wished Touré happy birthday at a club event in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the Premier League title win.

City may not take Seluk's threat too seriously, though, given that they have a somewhat familiar feel. It has become, in fact, an annual event at around this time of year.

Just over a year ago Seluk said his client felt mistreated and was close to demanding a move. Those comments came during contract talks that were finalised less than a month later, when Touré signed a four-year deal. A year earlier, too, Seluk claimed the midfielder could leave.

With Touré, a hugely influential player at City, tied to a long contract, it seems unlikely the club would consider allowing him to go.

Seluk said in his latest complaint, via the Sun: "Yaya is so upset he's thinking of leaving City. There are a number of things that have happened that have left Yaya feeling bitterly upset. He must concentrate on the World Cup now. But City have treated him with disrespect and have really hurt him."

Seluk added: "They don't know that money can't buy relationships – no Sheikh can buy a relationship. This isn't about money or a new contract – it's about human relationships and City have shown they don't respect him. I repeat, this is not about money. In fact, he would take less to return to Barcelona."

In reference to the birthday snub, Seluk said: "What happened at his birthday meant the club don't care about him. It was proof. They can say whatever they want, 'Oh we like him but we forgot'.

"Forgot? About Yaya? The player who helped you to be two-times Premier League champions? The guy who helped you win the FA Cup and the League Cup? His birthday can be on a normal day and, in a normal team, his team-mates and club would at least give him good wishes. But when you win the title on May 11, a day later you go to Abu Dhabi and on May 13 you have a big party to celebrate the title and nobody comes to Yaya to say, 'Happy birthday', what more do you want?"

Seluk later clarified his comments in an interview with the BBC, after it was put to him that City had posted a message about Touré's birthday on their official Twitter feed.

Join us in wishing @Toure_yaya42 a very happy 31st birthday today! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/j7w7ryCDhy
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 13, 2014

"He got a cake but when it was Roberto Carlos's birthday, the president of Anzhi gave him a Bugatti," said Seluk. "I don't expect City to present Yaya with a Bugatti, we only asked that they shook his hand and said 'we congratulate you'. It is the minimum they must do when it is his birthday and the squad is all together."

If he leaves, it will be for your favorite club of the Condal City. We all know he loves Barça.

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aya Touré is considering leaving Manchester City

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I thought I overheard two English guys talking about this today at work.

I guess I can usually see where he is coming from. Did City even have a FB or twitter post wishing him happy bday.

Doesn't Ya Ya feel disrespected every single summer according to his agent, who assures it has nothing to do with money, until he's "respected" by a yearly pay raise?

He's already 31 no point in moving, I enjoy him in the EPL even if its with City. Imagine him in MLS 4 years from now

Great do we now have our first transfer drama thanks to yaya.

Pretty badass that roberto carlos got a bugatti or his bday from anzhi

any news in Italy about verratti? surely PSG aren't going to dump him.

He may end up being tough to keep. Man City, Bayern, PSG, ManU and Barca all want him.

I still think odds are that he stays. Benatia publicly said he did not want the club to sell him.
However, with every club aside from Real that could make Roma a Thiago Silva offer pursuing him, Sabatini may decide the club could do better turning him into 2 or 3 other players.

If he does go, Barca would be surprising simply because they so desperately need a CB due to not matching outrageous offers for them the past couple of years.

On Verratti, there's not been many rumors at all. If Real didn't have Modric that could be possible since he and Ancellotti love each other so much. I think he stays unless there's some huge shake up at PSG involving Pogba etc.