Barcelona connection 'excites' Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure has cited the arrival of two former Barcelona officials as being a key reason behind his decision to sign a new long-term deal with Manchester City.

Toure is also well aware of the importance of the next seven days to the club. City travel to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby on Monday night, trailing United by 15 points, and then head to Wembley to tackle Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final next weekend. "It is a really important week for us, and a tough week as well because United are a tough team and then a couple of days after we have Chelsea - an amazing game," added Toure. "We will continue to fight for the Premier League. We have to continue to work hard although we know it is going to be difficult."