Toure seeks new Manchester City deal

Kolo Toure is interested in extending his stay at Manchester City despite appearing to be heading for the exit door.

Toure was omitted from City’s Champions League squad after turning down the opportunity to join Turkish club Bursaspor in the summer and it was widely speculated that he would be heading on once his contract expired at the end of the season.

However, the former club captain has enjoyed a return to the first team in recent weeks, coming on for Vincent Kompany in the Manchester derby before taking over from the defender for Saturday’s win over Newcastle.

He has expressed his desire to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium but he is prepared for whatever challenge comes his way.

“I like it in England. I have been here for all of my career and it’s great to play in England. I really enjoy it. That is why I brought my brother [Yaya] here,” he explained.

Manager Roberto Mancini stood by the player when he was forced to serve six-month suspension for taking a slimming pill that contained a banned drug and he admits the support he received would make it difficult for him to leave.

“The club has been here for me. Even through my tough time, everyone was behind me – the people and the staff at the club, everybody, the chairman, everybody. To have this support is great and that is why it would be much more difficult to leave,” he told Sky Sports.