Toure flattered by interest

Barca midfielder focused on life at Camp Nou

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 7th January 2009

Toure flattered by interest

Toure: Settled in Spain

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Yaya Toure is delighted to be attracting interest from England but insists his focus remains on Barcelona.

The Ivorian midfielder has been strongly linked with Manchester City and Arsenal in recent times, with City believed to be keen on launching a January raid for his services.

The 25-year-old admits to being flattered at featuring in the thoughts of such prestigious clubs, but has refused to be drawn on whether he would welcome a switch to the Premier League should a suitable offer materialise.

"I play for Barcelona now and I don't think about these things," Toure said after helping Barca beat Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night.

"But I have a manager who works for me and thinks about all these things because for me the most important thing is the football.

"When a big club call you it's very good for me because I'm an African player and when a big team like Arsenal and Manchester (City) call me I'm very happy because all African players want to go to a big club.

"But right now I play for Barcelona and I want to make everything work and then after I will see."

Great team

Toure would link up with his brother Kolo should he end up at Arsenal, a proposition which appeals to him.

He did undergo an unsuccessful trial with the Gunners in 2005, but admits a move to North London in the future may still be a possibility.

"If I went there I would go and play with my brother and I've thought about this for a long time," he said.

"But the important thing is I want to play. I want to tell you that I play football. My friend (manager) sorts these things out for me. I'm more concentrated on the football.

"Two or three years ago I went to Arsenal, but I didn't sign. Arsenal are a great team and that time when I went there they had Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, great players... I think now I'm playing at a big club with Barcelona, who are one of the best clubs in the world."