Toure rules out China move, hopes to play in Europe 'for a few years'

Inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Yaya Toure is eager to continue playing top-flight football for a few more years.

Evidence of this was Toure’s reported unwillingness to join the Chinese Super League after allegedly rejecting an offer earlier this month to relocate and earn £430,000 per week.

Instead of following the path so many footballers have taken of late, the Manchester City midfielder hopes to continue making an impact in Europe’s top leagues before considering a future elsewhere.

“I’m still looking young, right?” he jokingly said in an interview with Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News. “I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet.

“I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there.”

Toure’s remarks would have been unimaginable to City supporters just two months ago, when his trophy-laden career at the club appeared to be on the verge of ending on a sour note after failing to convince manager Pep Guardiola he was worthy of a place on the team.

Despite a public spat between his agent and Guardiola, Toure was finally included in his first match in November. He has since gone on to play a prominent role at City – including a spot in the starting XI during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham – after scoring three goals in 11 Premier League appearances.

Now, the Ivorian is hoping to emulate the success Ibrahimovic – who is one back in the Premier League scoring race with 14 goals – is having down the road with city rivals Manchester United.

“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe … three more years?” Toure said. “He’s got the same mentality as me, he’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first.

“Anything after that is a bonus, you can be lucky to go and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go to China … I don’t think like that.”