Barcelona Very Close To Yaya Toure Deal

omgukilledkenny SG

The Catalan giants are expected to sign Yaya Toure by this weekend.

Barcelona have made up their minds that Yaya Touré is the man who will solve their defensive midfield woes.

Their interest has been reported for a few weeks now, but they have stepped up their efforts to bring him to the Camp Nou this week.

The player's represntative, Dimitri Selluyk, will travel to Spain on Friday to meet with technical director Txiki Begiristain and vice president Ferran Soriano.

It is understood that terms with the player have already been agreed, and that the meeting is to discuss strategy so that Monaco can be convinced.

The two clubs are separated by 3 million euros, Monaco wanting 12, but Barcelona offering only 9.

The French club are unwilling to drop their price as they will have to pay half the player's transfer fee to Ukrainian club Metalurg Donetsk, of which, Selluyk himself is the sporting director.

However, it is understood that a 10 million euro deal could be struck, with the player having made his intent clear.

Slipshade SG

Now if only they knew what 'Yaya' means in Singlish! Laughing

omgukilledkenny SG

Wonder why he dont wanna join his brother at Arsenal.

glacer SG

Because Arsenal’s not interested in him

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

is he good. Rolling Eyes

used SG

then wad will happen to inesta and xavi. he plays like mascherano but more physical.

alwaysdisturbed SG

they will enhance the attacking midfield options.

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

barca plays with 2CM and one DM. i guess he's competing with edmilson and motta.

omgukilledkenny SG

Stielike Praises Touré As Barça Deal Nears

FC Barcelona are expected to tie up a deal to sign Yaya Touré from Monaco this weekend and his national team coach thinks that he will prove to be a huge success at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana are due to meet the Ivory Coast international and his agent, Dmitri Selluyk on Sunday for talks and a deal should be wquickly concluded, according to Sport.

Touré, who is the younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, is wanted to play in front of the back four as Edmílson and Thiago Motta could both be on their way out this summer.

Barça are offering the 24-year-old a four-year contract, worth around 2m-a-year, and are still trying to negotiate a fee with Monaco.

The French league outfit want 15m for the player while the Blaugrana's first offer was around 9m, but the clubs expect to reach a deal next week.

Ivory Coast boss, Uli Stielike, believes that Touré will quickly adapt to life at Barça and will become a big hit with the supporters.

"As a footballer he is a rock, a beast and he is technically perfect," the former Real Madrid star stated.

"At first he may appear slow for his stature. He is around 1.88m tall and gives a sensation of being slow, but it is in the first four or five metres that he is very quick, very intelligent and reads the game superbly.

"Before he was seen as an offensive player, but I think he better in a more defensive role in front of the back line.

"That does not take anything away from him or make him less important, because he is still dangerous in attack at set pieces.

"He is also great at winning back possession and starting attacking moves with a good first pass.

"Touré is a very good player who could adapt to Barcelona's style because he is physically strong, has incredible technique and can pass."

"Going to a top club and, having already played for teams in various countries he is very experienced at 24.

"He can play in several positions, but I think he is better in the Josep Guardiola role than where Leo Messi plays."