Could Kolo Toure be set to extend his Premier League career – but in red rather than blue?
With speculation the Ivory Coast will almost certainly leave City in the summer, a surprise candidate for his signature has emerged in the form of Liverpool.
With Kolo’s first-team opportunities limited at the Etihad and his contract expiring, it seems there may be some weight behind claims in several of today’s stories linking him with Anfield.
Phil Thomas in The Sun writes: “Brendan Rodgers is set to hand Kolo Toure a Premier League lifeline.
“The Manchester City centre-back can leave on a free, now his contract is up. And Liverpool boss Rodgers wants him to help plug the gap left in the heart of his backline by the retiring Jamie Carragher.
The first the story of the summer with the immortal lines ‘test their resolve’ – a phrase, like many others, you only seem to hear in football – appears in the Daily Mirror this morning with John Cross the guilty party.
He suggests Barcelona may try to tempt City to sell captain Vincent Kompany with an offer during the summer months. Writes Cross:" Barcelona are ready to make a £20million move for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
“The Spanish giants will step up their attempts to sign a player they have been linked with for months, after identifying Kompany as their No1 summer target to strengthen their defence.
“Barca have been alerted by Kompany growing unhappy at City under now-sacked manager Roberto Mancini and will now test the deposed Premier League champions' resolve to keep the Belgian defender."
Considering the comments Kompany made towards the end of the season, it seems unlikely he will be going anywhere for quite some time.
And finally…
The Daily Express columnist Mick Dennis has written a nice snippet about the Blues that deserves another airing here. He writes: “I blagged very posh seats for Norwich’s last game of the season. On arrival in the chairman’s room at the Etihad, I told Vicky Kloss, Manchester City’s very able head of communications, everything would be off the record.
"But I am breaking that promise – to report how everyone associated with the home club behaved. They had lost the FA Cup, lost their manager and then watched their players lose the plot in the match. But they were gracious, friendly and genuinely congratulatory to their guests. City do have the one thing money can’t buy. Class."
Tuesday Gossip
posted on 21/5/13
IF Barca want Vincent company then we will do a deal for him, providing that Lionel Messi comes here in a straight swap, no Messi no deal.
posted on 21/5/13
Konpant was unhappy at City under Mancin? I doubt that very much.
He was unhappy about Mancini's comments as regards playing for Belgium rahter than resting after being out 6 + games for his club. However why would he be unhappy at a manager who made him. Lets forget all the daemonisation going on and remember the facts shall we. When VK was bought for city by Hughes he was bought as a defensive midfield player. He played ok but was no great match winner. When RM came he saw Kompanys potential as a CD and moved him there, dropped Kolo and paired him with Lescott and then Nasty. VK owes Mancini his value as a CD so why except for the Belgium comments (I believe Fergies has made similar comments about most of the England players he's had under him) would VK be unhappy with the bloke who made him as a footballer?
posted on 21/5/13
Don't believe the papers an there bullsheet!
posted on 21/5/13
Fingers still havnt gotten the hang of phone keypads. Bloody dinky letters on them and its hit and miss.
posted on 21/5/13
Lee
VK played centre half before he came to City
He was bought by Hamburg from Anderlecht to replace his departing compatriot Daniel van Buyton
posted on 21/5/13
And Hughes bought and played him at midfield with Dunne and Ben Haim in CD then Kolo and Lescott. It eas only when RM came he made the transition to CD and got the plaudits he rightly deserved. However it was RM who gave him that opportunity on a regular basis.
posted on 21/5/13
True
Probably tells you more about Hughes than RM though?
posted on 21/5/13
PP we must be getting Pel as am slipping into spanglish with the eas
posted on 21/5/13
You sir are drunk
posted on 21/5/13
Unfortunately not though I cant vouch for my keypad on the old dog and bone.