Manchester City’s Yaya Toure rejects huge transfer offer from Chinese club - agent

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has turned down a £520,000 (HK$5 million) a week offer to play in China, his agent told Sky Sports on Tuesday.

Dimitri Seluk said the 33-year-old was targeted by Chinese club Jiangsu Suning in the winter transfer window. The BBC reported he had been contacted again in the current window.

“Yaya plays on another level. He wants to play at the highest level. He’s happy at Manchester City. Yaya likes football more than money,” Seluk was quoted as saying by Sky.

Chinese Super League clubs have been flexing their financial muscles, with a number of high-profile recent signings.

Shanghai SIPG bought Brazil midfielder Oscar from Chelsea for €60m (HK$498m), while their rivals Shanghai Shenhua have signed Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez for a reported €84m.

Toure had a difficult start to the season but has clawed his way back into City’s first-team plans in recent months.