I Know Arsenal Won't Buy Him, But Still I Will Suggest Yaya Toure

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

After Deepak Israni, Eddy Hirono and Maire Ofeire, it’s now my turn to contribute to “I Know Arsenal Won't Buy Him, But Still I Will Suggest...” series.

In this edition of the series, I will look at yet another player that Arsenal could, but would not sign.

Yaya Toure has been linked a considerable number of times with Arsenal, and before he signed a new deal with Barcelona this summer—fans might have not bet against him signing for Arsenal.

Yaya Toure: Fact-File

• Age:  26
• Position: Defensive Midfielder
• Current Club: Barcelona
• National Team: Ivory Coast

Yaya Toure, brother of Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, had a trial with Emmanuel Eboue before the 2005-06 season. However, the Gunners opted against signing him before he signed for Greek side Olympiacos.

Developing further, he made a move to the Principality club Monaco before sealing a big money move to Barcelona in the summer of 2007. He has improved dramatically during his time in Cataluna, and has regularly spoken about uniting with his brother and play with him in the same football club, fuelling rumours of a possible transfer to Arsenal.

However, any hopes of a move were dashed when the Ivorian signed an extension to his current deal at Barcelona

He is a hard-tackling midfielder who possesses a wide range of passing. His versatility was also on display in the Champions League final 2009 against Manchester United, when he was deployed at centre-back—a role which led him to keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet.

Yaya Toure to Arsenal

Pros:

• He is athletic, powerful and would fit in to the Arsenal team with ease.
• His brother, Kolo, plays for Arsenal—hence proving to be a motivation to a potential move.
• He is a superb passer of a football—a quality not commonly found among many defensive midfielders.
• At the age of 26, he is at the perfect age (not too young, or too old) and his experience would prove to be invaluable to what many call an inexperienced Arsenal team.
• His height could also make him an imposing figure at the club, much like Patrick Vieira, were he to join.

Cons:

• He recently signed a new deal, hence rendering him virtually non-transferrable—at least for this season.
• Even if he were available, there would be doubts as to whether Arsenal can match his financial demands along with his current employers’ asking transfer fee.
• He isn’t altogether potent in front of goal, although that will not be his primary objective.

Conclusion

Yaya Toure will give Arsenal the much needed power that they lack in midfield. His height, athleticism and passing range will come in handy and he will undoubtedly prove to be a superb foil for Cesc Fabregas.

However, his wages and transfer fee could be a stumbling block in any kind of deal—added to the fact that he recently signed a contract extension with Barcelona until 2012.

Having said that, Yaya Toure is exactly the kind of player Arsenal need to add some real quality into their midfield.

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