EXCLUSIVE
By Simon
Jones
On the move: Kolo Toure has ended several months of
speculation by agreeing to sign for Manchester City
Manchester
City moved on from the disappointment
of missing out on England captain John Terry by striking a
£15million deal for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.
The 28-year-old has agreed personal terms of around £120,000 per week — doubling his wages at
Arsenal. He
is expected to be unveiled later this week and could even figure in
Saturday’s friendly at Barnsley.
His signing ends a nine-month pursuit by City manager Mark
Hughes who first earmarked the Ivory Coast centre half back in
November. Toure is one of three defenders Hughes wants to bring in
as he re-assesses his targets following Terry’s decision to stay at
Chelsea.
Everton’s
Joleon Lescott remains in his sights, despite Everton being
reluctant to sell, and Hughes is also considering a move for
West Ham’s
Matthew Upson.
Toure’s capture is still seen as a significant step forward by
City’s hierarchy. Despite an indifferent past season he was viewed
as a key member of Arsenal’s squad and his departure from the
Emirates, so quick on the heels of that of Emmanuel Adebayor,
seriously weakens another of City’s rivals for a place in the
Premier League top four.
Toure asked to be placed on the transfer list in January after a
bust-up with fellow defender William Gallas. City made several
attempts to sign him but in the end decided to shelve their efforts
until the summer.
Hughes still wants another two midfielders as City’s big
spending continues.
Depleted Arsenal, who also look likely to offload Philippe
Senderos, may now make a move for Fulham’s Brede Hangeland.
Next up: City are considering approaches for West
Ham skipper Matthew Upson and Everton defenderJoleon Lescott - even
though the Toffees do not want to sell
Ironically, Toure wore the captain’s armband on his last
appearance for the Gunners — Monday night’s 5-0 win over Hungarians
Szombathelyi Haladas as Arsenal continued their pre-season
preparations in Europe.
The capture of Toure will help solve City’s central defensive
problems caused by the loss of form of Richard Dunne and Micah
Richards, but not the leadership issue.
Richard Dunne proved himself to be a less than adequate captain
last season as Hughes wrestled with problems with players such as
the Brazilians Elano and Robinho. In pursuing Terry, Hughes had
intended to cure that.
On his way: William Gallas is a target for Lazio
Arsenal’s worries in central defence, meanwhile, run far
deeper. Toure’s exit could be followed also by the
loss of William Gallas, who is being pursued by Lazio.
Wenger has signed Ajax’s Belgium stopper Thomas Vermaelen but
Johan Djourou will now have to step up and prove himself capable of
dominating Premier League strikers if no other replacements are
signed.
Certainly there is some unease in the Arsenal camp and their
£15m Russia winger Andrey Arshavin identified a real challenge for
a Champions League place next season.
He said: 'Manchester City, Everton, Aston Villa and
Tottenham
will join the contest, as well as Manchester
United, Liverpool and
Chelsea.’
