Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Yaya Toure’s situation at Manchester City, according to reports in the UK press.
The Mirror suggests Los Blancos could make a move for the City star as early as the January transfer window to plug the gap left in central midfield following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.
Toure insists he is happy at the Etihad Stadium for now, although he was reported by be unsettled earlier in the summer. It was claimed he felt he had been disrespected by senior figures at the club when they failed to wish him a happy birthday sufficiently.
The Ivory Coast player has played a key role in City’s success in recent years and was one of their top performers last season as Manuel Pellegrini’s side lifted the Premier League and Carling Cup.
The Mirror goes on to suggest Los Blancos have made the signing of a defensive midfielder their number one priority in January following the surprising defeat to Real Sociedad last weekend, when Carlo Ancelotti’s side blew a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2.
On the field, Toure would add pace and power in the middle of the park, while he would also have a huge marketing impact being one of the most famous African footballers.
Yaya will follow the money, but he is under contract and City will not sell one of their best players.