Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes Yaya Toure is “very happy” at the club and ready for the start of their Premier League season opener at Newcastle United today.
City’s player of the year in their title-winning 2013-14 campaign has had a difficult summer, during which his relationship with the club appeared strained.
First there were the infamous claims from his agent that he felt unappreciated and disrespected by the club after his birthday was not sufficiently acknowledged during a post-season trip to Abu Dhabi. In June, Toure’s younger brother Ibrahim died after a battle with cancer.
In the days that followed the remarks, Toure claimed he had been denied permission by the club to spend time with Ibrahim as his health deteriorated. These matters led to considerable speculation that the Ivory Coast international could leave City, with Paris Saint- German heavily linked, but last month he reiterated his commitment to the club.
Pellegrini said: “Really, I spoke with Yaya and he’s very happy.
“I don’t know what happened in the summer. Some people talked about his position, but really at this moment he doesn’t have any problems. It has passed, it doesn’t matter at this moment.”
It has been suggested that some of the comments from agent Dimitri Seluk may have been in part a tactic to negotiate a new contract. Yet Toure, 31, is just over a year into a four-year deal worth a reported £45 million (Dh275.9m).
It is understood that no negotiations are currently taking place, even though new long-term deals this week for Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero led to suggestions Toure could be next.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (groin) is expected to play against Newcastle but new signing Eliaquim Mangala will not feature. Defender Mangala only arrived at the club on Monday following his protracted £32m (Dh196.2m) move from Porto.
Other players who did not feature in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal last week, such as Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Fernandinho and Frank Lampard, are in contention. Striker Alvaro Negredo (foot) is the only injury absentee.
