Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Yaya Toure, Ante Coric Rumours

Pep Guardiola won't sell Yaya Toure in this transfer window, after declaring his intention to keep the 33-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder.

The Manchester City manager says he's been impressed with Toure, per Mike McGrath of the Sun on Sunday: “I spoke with him. He said he wants to stay. If he wants to stay, I am happy you stay. There are a lot of games. Everybody needs to play. I know his quality."

Toure has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for most of the summer, with Inter Milan touted as a potential destination by BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

Meanwhile, John Cross of the Daily Mirror reported in May that the player turned down two deals from China worth "in excess of £300,000-a-week."

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Yet, Guardiola is making the right call to keep Toure, even though McGrath indicated it may just be a temporary reprieve: "The 33-year-old, who is open to staying in the Premier League, will then weigh up pre-contract offers for when his deal runs out at the end of the season."

Guardiola worked with Toure at Barcelona and likely values the player's considerable versatility. The Ivorian played in midfield and central defence during his time at the Camp Nou. He even acted as a stand-in centre-back during Barca's 2-0 win over Manchester United in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League final.

However, Toure could find himself used a little differently by Guardiola at City. Specifically, the manager has talked up the veteran's performance further forward, per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News: “For example in the last 20 minutes against Steaua Bucharest he played as a striker and played amazing."

Toure has always had striker potential because of his robust running, excellent skill and terrific shooting power. It's a trait that could be useful for Guardiola sooner than he thinks.

The City boss may need to find a solution up front for the eagerly anticipated derby against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. It's a match scheduled for September 10, and one that star City striker Sergio Aguero could miss due to suspension.

The Argentina international clashed with West Ham United centre-back Winston Reid during City's 3-1 win over the Hammers, per David Anderson and Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror. They revealed how Aguero faces a potential suspension if his elbowing is deemed deliberate by the Football Association.

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If Aguero misses the match, Guardiola may be tempted to adopt a false-nine formation for the trip to Old Trafford, according to Eurosport's Richard Jolly. Toure, who has been a thorn in United's side in many a derby, would be an excellent candidate for that role.

Bid Made for Ante Coric

Guardiola is keeping one veteran midfielder, but he's also reportedly trying to recruit another prospect for the future.

City have made a bid for 19-year-old Croatian playmaker Ante Coric, according to Mail on Sunday's Simon Jones: "Manchester City have offered £7.6 million for Ante Coric at Dinamo Zagreb plus another £7 million in add ons."

Jones also noted how City want to complete the deal during the final days of this window, although he stated the club is irked by the presence of outside agents in the deal.

Coric is the brightest young thing plying his trade at Dinamo Zagreb. On a technical level, his pass-and-move style more than suits what Guardiola wants from his midfielders.

The former Barca coach hasn't been shy about adding talented young prospects this summer. He's already signed 19-year-old Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko before sending him on loan to PSV Eindhoven, per Dev Trehan of Sky Sports.

Coric could follow a similar path given how well-stocked Guardiola's squad is with attacking midfielders. The Spaniard even indicated rumoured Besiktas target Samir Nasri could yet stay, following the win over West Ham, per the club's official site:

Having spent heavily to retool the senior squad this summer, dipping into the transfer market again on one for the future seems like a luxury. However, it would actually show that Guardiola is determined to build for the long term at City.