Manuel Pellegrini: I want Yaya Toure to stay at Manchester City

MANUEL PELLEGRINI wants Yaya Toure to stay at Manchester City and has told the Ivory Coast international can achieve the "sporting challenges" he craves at the Etihad Stadium.

Yaya Toure Player Profile

Toure cast further doubts on his future this week by suggesting in an interview that any future move in his career will be governed more by the challenge on offer from a potential buyer than the money.

And, with Inter Milan and Paris St Germain ready to swoop this summer, those remarks were followed up by controversial comments from Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk who has demanded end of season talks with City's hierarchy to assess if he is still in their plans, despite having two years left on his £220,000-a-week contract.

But despite Toure's dip in form this season - and the fact he turns 32 next month - Pellegrini insists he remains in his plans for next season.

He said: "Maybe there is a new challenge here at City also. There are lot of different places you can have it. 

"City also is a challenge and I am sure Yaya is very happy here. We have a project here. Every year we are trying to improve. 

"Maybe you cannot win titles every year but I think the project of the club is to improve the squad, to improve as a club so there are lot of important things and I think it is an important challenge."

Manuel Pellegrini wants Yaya Toure to stay at Manchester CityGETTY

Manuel Pellegrini wants Yaya Toure to stay at Manchester City

Seluk accused Pellegrini of being "a good but weak manager" and also criticised City chief executive Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain.

But Pellegrini refused to answer back.

City also is a challenge and I am sure Yaya is very happy here

Manuel Pellegrini

"You already asked me about that in the last press conference and I will give you the same answer. 

"I don’t talk about Yaya’s agent. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."

City skipper Vincent Kompany will be out for at least tow more weeks with a groin injury and they will also be without Samir Nasri, Stevan Jovetic and Gael Clichy for tomorrow's home clash with FA Cup finalists Aston Villa.

But David Silva, who was stretchered off with a facial injury in the win over West Ham, plus James Milner and Wilfried Bony are all fit.

Manchester City v Aston Villa - Premier League Preview

Pellegrini is demanding that City leapfrog neighbours United and Arsenal to end a disappointing season in second place and in an upbeat mood.

And he is determined to focus on the teams above City than the fear of being caught by Liverpool for the fourth Champions League place.

He added: "For me you are never satisfied if you do not win the title but if you cannot win it you must try to be as near the top of the table as you can. 

"I am more interested in trying to discount one point [on United] than to lose seven points [the lead over Liverpool]. It is all about having a positive mind."

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