Toure ready to repay City ‘love’
The 28-year-old Ivorian defender claims he already feels at home after signing a four-year contract following his switch from Arsenal for a reported fee of around £16 million (€18.7m).
Toure said: “City showed they really wanted me. I always say when you love a woman and she gives back the love, you are really happy.
“That’s what Manchester City have done... given me the love. I am really delighted and I aim to give back the love as well.
“I was at Arsenal for seven years and sometimes you need a new challenge in your life.”
Toure is City’s sixth signing of the summer and follows his Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor to Eastlands.
Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and back-up goalkeeper Stuart Taylor have also checked in this summer at the Barclays Premier League big spenders.
Toure is convinced City can put the pressure on the traditional leading lights, including Arsenal.
He said: “We must try to make the top six or four – that would be fantastic. That is why I am here – and City have some fantastic players.
“We are going to work for it. The club is getting bigger and going the right way. It is going to be really difficult. We will need commitment and spirit.”
Even though Toure has arrived, manager Mark Hughes has not ruled out a third bid for Everton’s Joleon Lescott.
An £18m (€21m) offer has been rejected and Hughes said: “We will wait and see. We have good central defenders here already and good competition. That’s what we want.
“We are making no secret of the fact we want to continue to strengthen the team. We have looked at players we feel will help us and make us successful in the future.”
Yesterday Everton skipper Phil Neville criticised City’s pursuit of Lescott.
Neville said: “The club have turned down two offers and the manager is not prepared to sell him. Let’s move on and let’s look forward to the new season.
“Will City get the message? The way they are going about their business, I don’t think they will. There are ways and means of doing things – and Everton do it the right way.”
For his part, Toure believes the time was right to move on but thanked manager Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans for their support.
He said: “I was the last one of the ‘Invincible’ team and I was expecting to leave. For me it was important to go at the right time when I am capable of doing a good job for another club.
“I did not want to leave England, and neither did my family, because I love the football. I am 28 and think I am in my prime.
“I will give my maximum for the club so that City are one of the best teams in England.”
Hughes added: “Kolo has the benefit of being at a top club and understands the mentality you need to bring to the table.
“He has the experience and the knowledge of the Premier League we need. Even in his first training session today his quality shone through.”
Meanwhile Wenger has insisted there is cash available for transfers – but claims his squad is strong enough without any more new signings.
The Gunners, linked yesterday with a move for their former skipper Patrick Vieira on a pay-as-you-play basis, have made only one signing, defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, but have sold both Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City.
Emmanuel Eboue could also leave, with Fiorentina weighing up a £7m (€8m) bid for the Ivory Coast midfielder.
Wenger, though, is in no rush to spend, insisting: “I feel we are strong enough but if we can add then we will do it.
“In England people think that all the problems can be sorted out by buying players.
“I believe the biggest target is to work hard in training, improve what we can improve and have confidence in the players that we have.
“If we need to add, then we will. We have money available so for us it is now (important) to spend it in the right way when we do it or if we do it.”
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