Yaya, no no for Arsenal
BELGIAN side Beveren have told planetfootball.com that Arsenal have not signed their African starlet Gnegneri 'Yaya' Toure.
Yaya, brother of Arsenal's Kolo who scored in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea last week, is one of the most highly rated young players in Belgium's Jupiler League.
Reports in England had stated that Arsenal had signed the youngster and then agreed to loan him back, but this is a lot more than a little premature.
Beveren director Regis Laguesse, who together with director of football Jean Marc Guillou established the Belgian club's partnership with Arsenal last year, has told planetfootball in an exclusive interview that no such deal has been struck for the young African.
"Yaya has not signed for Arsenal, if not for the very good reason that he does not qualify to play in England, as you know you must either have played international football for two years or have a European passport, and Yaya meets neither category," Laguesse said.
"It is not true that he has signed for Arsenal, we do have a very good relationship with Arsenal, but today that transfer would not be possible."
Laguesse then revealed that there was substantial interest in Toure and even if he did move, it would not definitely be to Arsenal.
"Yaya is a very good player and he is attracting a lot of interest," he continued.
"I have been receiving a lot of phone calls about him, from clubs in England, Spain, Germany and Holland about him, so we will have to see.
"We do have a great friendship with Arsenal and Arsene [Wenger], but business is business and that does not mean he would automatically go there.
"There is a good possibility that he will move soon, possibly even January, but at this moment he is going nowhere."
Toure has been an ever-present for Beveren this season, scoring on one occasion, and he is revelling in his midfield role for the Belgian side.
He is contracted to the club until 2004, but the Jupiler League outfit would be unlikely to stand in his way, should one of Europe's larger clubs come knocking on their door.
Despite Arsenal not having first refusal, they would hold a lot of aces in the race, not only due to his brother being at the club, but Wenger is very good friends with former French international Guillou - who would play a major role in any sale.
