Ivorian midfielder Yaya Touré is the latest in a list of high profile players to have been offered a mega-contract to swop Europe for the Chinese Super League, with Jiangsu Suning attempting to capture the signature of the 33-year-old Manchester City player.
The four-time African Player of the Year was approached by the Chinese club with an offer of £520,000 per week, according to his agent Dimitri Seluk.
Toure turned down the deal in favour of continuing his career with the Citizens under Pep Guardiola, despite initial problems with the Spanish coach due to a feud between the former Barca tactician and the midfielder’s controversial agent.
Yaya likes football more than money.
That seems to be water under the bridge now, and while Touré may have considered a move to China some months ago when he was not even granted a spot on the City bench, things have changed and he has been enjoying playing time at the club, making 11 appearances since November and contributing a few goals along the way.
‘Yaya plays on another level. He wants to play at the highest level. He’s happy at Manchester City. Yaya likes football more than money,’ Seluk told SkySport in reference to the Chinese offer that was turned down.
Despite Toure being 33, and at the age when many players attempt one last get-rich-quick move if it is available, the Ivorian is not keen on following in the footsteps of recent high-profile players such Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, who joined Shanghai SIPG and Shanghai Shenhua for €60 million and €84 million respectively.
Toure still has a great deal to offer a club like Manchester City, and with Guardiola now trusting him with increased game time at the Etihad Stadium, he is able to showcase his talent and produce the kind of contribution that interested Jiangsu Suning in the first place.