Toure dismisses China opportunity

YAYA Toure has rejected big-money offers from China in the hope of staying in Britain, it is understood.

The Manchester City midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and has been approached by clubs from the lucrative Chinese Super League.

Some reports have suggested the 33-year-old could command wages of around £430,000 per week by moving, but he is not interested.

It remains unclear whether City, who signed Toure from Barcelona for £24million in 2010, will offer him a new deal but, regardless, the player would like to stay in the UK.

REGAINED

Toure has produced a number of fine performances and regained a place in the heart of City's midfield over the past two months.

Prior to that it seemed his glittering spell at the club, which includes two Premier League titles, would end ingloriously following a row between the club and his agent.

Toure was frozen out of the first-team picture by manager Pep Guardiola after his outspoken representative, Dimitri Seluk, claimed the midfielder had been humiliated by his omission from City's Champions League squad.

That situation was resolved with an apology from Toure in November and his response since, Guardiola says, has ensured he will be restored to that squad for the remainder of the season.

As his contract winds down, Toure is now entitled to speak to other clubs, but he said earlier this month he would not.

He said: "No, I won't do that. My focus (is) on City, the future is there."

Regarding the possibility of a new deal at City, Guardiola last week said of Toure and other out-of-contract players: "We are going to see at the end of the season."

Meanwhile, City are considering an appeal against the severity of a £40,000 fine for Bacary Sagna over a social media posting, it is also understood.

City defender Sagna was also warned about his future conduct after being found guilty of misconduct by the FA following an Instagram post about referee Lee Mason.

The 33-year-old posted a photo with with the caption "10 against 12.. but still fighting and winning as a team" on the social network following City's 2-1 win against Burnley on January 2.