Real Madrid Transfer News: Yaya Toure Rumours Emerge, Latest on Gareth Bale

Real Madrid are being linked with a sensational move for Manchester City's dominant midfield general, Yaya Toure, with a French magazine claiming the unsettled player could move to the European and world champions as they look for individuals to strengthen their core.

Soccerlens.com notes a report in Le 10 Sport, which claims Los Blancos are looking at defensive-minded players after the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich and the possible exit of German international Sami Khedira. 

Toure had seemed to become disaffected with life at the Etihad after City's run to the Premier League title last year, with his agent going public about his unhappiness in the summer, per Chris Bevan pf BBC Sport.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Bevan explained Toure was upset about his treatment by City during his 31st birthday, and the player backed the claims of his representative, Dimitri Seluk, about his contentment, saying: "Everything Dimitri said is true. He speaks for me."

Seluk had previously said the issue was one of respect between player and club, per Bevan: "He got a cake but when it was Roberto Carlos's birthday, the president of Anzhi gave him a Bugatti. I don't expect City to present Yaya with a Bugatti, we only asked that they shook his hand and said 'we congratulate you.' It is the minimum they must do when it is his birthday and the squad is all together."

Jon Super/Associated Press

The latest rumours will once again worry City fans as the player looks to now depart temporarily during the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, if Madrid want a defensive-minded midfielder, surely Toure does not fit the bill?

Toure has become famed for his goalscoring exploits since leaving Barcelona for England, and he is not your conventional holding midfielder—despite playing the role at the Camp Nou.

The player was the driving force behind City's title charge last season, scoring 20 times and providing nine assists in his 35 Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com.

He does not fit Madrid's flowing, counter-attacking style with the central midfield releasing the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on the break.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Madrid have also announced their unequivocal intention to hold on to Bale despite interest from Manchester United.

The London Evening Standard reports Los Blancos have said they will turn down any move for the player, with Madrid president Florentino Perez going public on the matter, speaking to Marca: "We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale. We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee."

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Shaun Custis of The Sun says Bale has no intention of leaving Madrid any time soon, appearing on Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement show:

"

Gareth Bale was obsessed with going to Real Madrid and as far as I understand still loves Real Madrid and has no wish to come back. If you talk to his advisers they claim to have no idea where this is all coming from about a possible return.

I would love to see him back because he is a tremendous player, but I think he would have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of Real Madrid because that’s where he wants to be.

"

Bale's future seems to firmly lie in the Spanish capital, and his time at Madrid will unlikely be affected by any further superstar Galactico signings in the near future.

At 25 years of age, there is still time for Bale to develop as a player, and as CR7's legs get older, the Welshman will be expected to carry more of the goalscoring load.

Toure would be a strange signing for Madrid, but it will not be a surprise to see him depart City for pastures new.

The noises coming from his camp in recent times have been negative, and he will be a much sought-after commodity if he decides to leave the English champions.