Yaya Toure nears Botafogo move
... as Brazilian club close in on 36-year-old former Manchester City midfielder
Just like how Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo escaped from China to play for Manchester United, Yaya Toure is on his way to Brazil to pitch tents with Botafogo Football Club.
According to the Dailymail of London, Botafogo are closing in on signing former Manchester City midfielder on yet undisclosed amount.
The Brazilian side are at the verge of recruiting the 36-year-old, who was most recently playing for Qingdao Huanghai in the Chinese Super League before his contract expired.
According to GloboEsporte, negotiations with Toure’s representatives are still ongoing over a contract but should be finalised by Wednesday or Thursday.
Toure is reportedly interested in the move but Botafogo are understood to require financial assistance from investors.
There is hope that the club will manage to find the cash as the board recently did with Japanese star Keisuke Honda.
At 33-years-old, he is a similar player profile to Toure, who is regarded by many as a club legend at City.
Botafogo’s football committee approved the signing as they regard Toure as a ‘spectacular African legend’ and his CV backs up their verdict.
Toure won the Champions League and two LaLiga titles at Barcelona before claiming three Premier League crowns at the Etihad.
He played 14 times for Huanghai, scoring two goals for the club but it seems his stay in China is to be shortlived.
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Botafogo are the front-runners for his signature but may abandon hope of an agreement if they fail to come to an understanding by Thursday.