Touré claims PSG comments ‘taken out of context’

But midfielder stops short of denying exit from Manchester City possible this summer

Yaya Touré: “I simply said it was nice to be a player who is quite coveted, and it would be an honour to play for PSG”. Photograph:  Dave Thompson/PA Wire
Yaya Touré: “I simply said it was nice to be a player who is quite coveted, and it would be an honour to play for PSG”. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

Yaya Touré has defended his stance regarding his Manchester City future, stating his recent comments over a move to Paris Saint-Germain were taken "out of context" by the media.

It appeared the Ivorian had been seeking an exit from the Premier League champions after previously saying it would be "an honour" to play for PSG and had admitted his agent was "hanging on the telephone and he knows what he has to do".

But yesterday, the midfielder told RFI “the media took what I said out of context. For the moment, there’s nothing planned,” Touré said. “Too many things have been said, that annoyed me.

“I want to take advantage of this opportunity to put things into context. It’s very important. I simply said it was nice to be a player who is quite coveted, and it would be an honour to play for PSG.”

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However, Touré stopped short of denying an exit from Manchester City was a possibility this summer. “My goal is the World Cup. The country awaits us,” he added.

Liverpool have formalised their interest in Alberto Moreno with an offer worth €20 million for the Sevilla left back.

Manager Brendan Rodgers, has prioritised a new left back and, having considered an approach to Chelsea for Ryan Bertrand, has made Moreno his preferred option.

Fine season

The 21-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Europa League winners and has been included in Spain’s preliminary 30-man World Cup squad.

Moreno has been linked with several clubs including Chelsea, Napoli, who had an offer for the defender rejected in January, and Real Madrid.

Marca reported last week Moreno wanted to join Real, who are expected to part company with Fabio Coentrao this summer, and that Sevilla may delay a decision until after the World Cup should he make Vicente del Bosque's final cut.

But Liverpool have moved first with a formal offer as they attempt to secure proven quality for next season’s return to the Champions League.

The club’s bid is believed to be worth €20m in total, a figure that includes Liverpool midfielder Suso as a makeweight.

The 20-year-old Spaniard spent last season on loan with the La Liga side Almeria and has been offered to Sevilla on a similar basis.

Jon Flanagan excelled at left back during Liverpool's rise to second in the Premier League last season but Rodgers views the player's long-term future on his natural right side.

The Liverpool manager also decided against keeping Aly Cissokho following his season-long loan from Valencia and has injury concerns over Jose Enrique. Liverpool are continuing to negotiate with Bayer Leverkusen and Southampton for Emre Can and Adam Lallana respectively, although the south coast club's €37 million valuation on the England international is proving prohibitive. – Guardian Service