Yaya Toure could be on his way out of Manchester City as soon as January after a row broke out between his agent Dimitri Seluk and City boss Pep Guardiola.
Toure, who was ruled out of the Bournemouth game due to a migraine, had been expected to play in the EFL Cup tomorrow for Manchester City but seems to have been frozen out instead.
Comments made by his outspoken agent Dimitri Seluk after the publication of City’s Champions League squad list earlier this month appear to have antagonised City manager Pep Guardiola.
He is reported to have to said to the Daily Mirror:
“If he wins the Champions League for City this season then I will travel to England and I will say on television that Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world.
“But if City don’t win the Champions League then I hope that Pep has got the balls to say that he was wrong to humiliate a great player like Yaya.
“This is Pep’s decision and we must respect it.”
The Spaniard retaliated today saying that Toure would not play again until he or Seluk apologised for words said after Toure’s exclusion from City’s Champions League squad.
Seluk immediately hit back with harsh words of his own, speaking to Sky Sports News the controversial agent declared that he would not apologise, instead demanding that Guardiola apologise to his predecessor at City, Manuel Pellegrini, and England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Yaya Toure announces international retirement
The impasse between the two powerful men seems to have ended Toure’s City career by default, and his announcement of his international retirement was almost a footnote in the drama at unfolded this afternoon.
With another African Cup of Nations coming in early 2017, Toure has effectively declared that he will be available in January and February without international commitments as he sees out the final year of his contract with Manchester City.
With clubs around the world now alerted to his availability the possibility of a move away from the club earlier than summer next year will be a very real one.
Brahim Diaz and Pablo Maffeo added to squad for trip to Swansea
Pep Guardiola also confirmed that Brahim Diaz, Tosin Adarabioyo, Pablo Maffeo, Aleix Garcia and Angelino would be travelling with the City squad for tomorrow’s EFL Cup game with Swansea which he said “would be completely different” to the league encounter at the weekend.
Club captain Vincent Kompany could be available for selection tomorrow after recovering from a calf injury that has seen him sidelined for months following surgery in an attempt to cure his latest injury setback.
Guardiola added that David Silva would not be risked for tomorrow’s game but said that Fernando and Fabian Delph “have a chance” of playing tomorrow.
City will be staying in Wales following the late night game against Swansea to prepare for the weekend’s Premier League encounter with the Swans.
Guardiola added: “We have a huge Champions League game at Celtic the week after.”